“Kimberly has obviously picked up a few lessons from her mentor, Russell Bevan, as these are all full-throttle, complex, savory, mouth-filling, delicious wines…” - Robert Parker

It’s time to say farewell. Adiós. Arrivederci. Tschüss. Sayanora. Au revoir. Yah-soo. Namaste…

The final act has arrived. After today, NO MORGADO.

Over the last four years we brought you 12+ mega-popular features from this beloved producer. Culminating a month ago with the stunning Spanish Springs Chardonnay.

A disciple from the Russel Bevan school of winemaking, Kimberly racked up massive scores and a devoted following over the years (just check these CellarTracker scores out!) Not a shocker that each one sells out.

While she hasn’t produced any recent vintages, we knew there had to be some bottles squirreled away in the cellar. We BEGGED Kimberly to share whatever was left. And while it wasn’t enough for a full-fledged feature, we got just enough to satiate the masses ONE MORE TIME…

Without further adieu we present you, a Store Takeover unlike any others before… THE MORGADO CELLAR RAID!

Fair warning - quantities are EXTREMELY limited. We have the most of the Sugarloaf featured offer, but others, not so much. Just a few dozen bottles in some cases.

We have…

• Mini verticals of Sugarloaf, Sage Ridge, and her barrel select Napa Cabs back to 2014!
• A trio of Rita’s Crown Pinot vintages, arguably the biggest fruit bombs of CA Pinot Noir.
• A sampling of her rare Chardonnays, including a Sonoma Coast that has a secret surprise.

The selection is just bonkers. If you want that inky, rich, hedonistic style that Bevan is so well known for - but don’t want to pay $200-$300 for the experience, this is your ticket. Scores are sky high; prices are low. All cherries, but not all day. Grab what you can, fast as you can.

If you’re new around here, Morgado comes from San Francisco firefighter Kimberly Hatcher, and she’s been making some fantastic wines for over a decade. Back when Robert Parker had brought everyone’s attention, he wrote that “Kimberly works with Russell Bevan and is a volunteer firefighter as well, but she has a super talent for winemaking, seems totally driven to produce something world-class, and appears to be succeeding in no uncertain terms. Unfortunately, the production of all her wines is relatively small… Nevertheless, I loved these wines. Kimberly has obviously picked up a few lessons from her mentor, Russell Bevan, as these are all full-throttle, complex, savory, mouth-filling, delicious wines…”

Now, let’s turn to the featured pick.

Sugarloaf Mountain in southern Napa Valley extends just beyond the Vaca range (Howell Mountain, Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill) but doesn’t get as much recognition as the neighbors to the North. That’s OK, because it delivers the goods, and makes for a perfect growing environment for later-ripening Cabernet Franc and Merlot (65% and 35% of this blend, respectively).

As a CellarTracker reviewer described one: *“If I was to design the Willi Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper for wine, I would base it on this.” The essence of Napa Valley fills the nose, with blackcurrant, cocoa powder, cedar, and tobacco. Supremely massive tannins coat the palate, along with immense sweet and savory flavor with depth to spare. Fills the mouth authoritatively long, with dark fruits, toasty spices, and lead pencil. And the oak! My goodness, those darn Darnajou… you can’t find a sexier oak profile.

This tiny, boutique cooperage house is accountable for an easily discernable, and intoxicatingly sweet and exotic oak perfume that enhances great Napa Valley reds with a “money” nose. While prominent winemakers continue to clamor and crowd a growing wait list, the lucky few who get a couple allocated don’t even blink at paying about $2,000 per barrel. We suspect working with Bevan had a lot to do with how Morgado brought the privilege of aging Sugarloaf fruit in Darnajou barrels.

It’s been a good run, these “rich, concentrated, pleasure-bent efforts that deliver the goods” (Jeb Dunnuck) will surely be missed!

95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Deeply colored, the 2017 Sugarloaf Mountain Red Wine checks in as 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot that spent 22 months in new French oak. It has a killer bouquet of black cherries, currants, ground herbs, Asian spice and chocolate. Deep, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, it displays beautiful fruit, some meaty, iron notes, no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink 2020-2040.”