Mission Codename Sound adVice
“My ultimate goal is crazy and wild and is for the French to be begging for Napa Valley wine… that’s my long-term vision.” says winemaker Malek Amrani for a Wine Enthusiast interview.
But listen. Before diving in further, we need to address something. There’s an elephant in the room.
2020.
It seems some of us fear the vintage. For a good reason - wildfires tore through wine country and many producers totally abandoned making wine that year. On the new WINE SPIES DECLASSIFIED blog, we just launched here (where you’ll find our most sincere raves, rants, and random ruminations on the world we live in and life in general) our buyer Agent Noir sheds light on what went down, and why some 2020s like this one - were spared.
Now, back to another straight-up indulgent, under-the-radar Vice single vineyard Cab at a wicked good discount.
Normally $89 and we are busting it out on the low, as we do. For you, it’s nearly 60% OFF, down to $37. We had never seen or heard of The Vice, but now it’s firmly planted in our minds because WOW, what a treat. We tasted a few of their wines and they all shook us with indulgent opulence and finesse.
Vice comes to us from the husband-and-wife team of Malek Amrani and Tori Greenberg. Malek is the winemaker, and on the heels of successful entrepreneurial adventures, he turned to wine. Or maybe immersed is a better word. He got himself a Level 3 Sommelier certification in between doing triathlons. Now he handles everything from soup to nuts at The Vice. More here on how Mr. Overachiever does it!
Amrani sources from some of the best locations in the valley - Stag’s Leap, Rutherford, or in this case, unsung Oak Knoll. It’s GUSHING with rich, opulent fruit - a deep core of dark red fruit. Raised in 33% new French oak keeps the wood in check and lets the fruits shine bright. Black, blue, and red berries abound, with dark chocolate and vanilla layered in. CHEWY, with dusty fine-grained tannins, it will settle a bit over time and suggest a long road ahead. Of course, if you can resist.
Over $50 per bottle savings?!
Get as much as you can cause it’ll be a sad day when you pop the last one…
What the Winery Says
2020 'The Hostage' Single Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Malek Amrani
- Varietal
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2020
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Appellation
- Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
- Soil Type
- Volcanic clay, sedimentary gravelly alluvial loams
- Aging
- 14 months
- Barrels
- 33% new French oak
- Production
- 6 barrels