“World’s End is the Napa venture of Jonathan Maltus, probably best known for his Bordeaux estate Le Dôme… much of the fruit comes from superstar grower Andy Beckstoffer, which comes at a price, and the length of the relationship has a bearing on what fruit you have access to.” - Jeb Dunnuck

If you’ve had these World’s End wines, you know what a tremendous deal is in front of your eyes. This big discount has our brains in full meltdown mode!!

But what about their Reserve?? Another pedal to the metal, banzai Cabernet at a neck-snapping price. Aka, another normal day at Wine Spies. Released at $75, now yours AT OVER 50% OFF?! A full Benjamin and more, back in your pocket? That Operatives is just how we roll in the year 2024.

CellarTracker reviews for this wine have always been glowing: “Big bold dark fruit… thick, mouth coating… cherry candy flavor REALLY stands out… rich, mouthcoating, and just a joy to drink… paired extremely well with grass-fed meatloaf and stir-fried broccoli.” It goes on and on… and the same holds true for this vintage.

This brings the power, with a full, round, warm pile of black plums and black cherry compote up front. A touch of sugar-dusted leather, dusty tobacco, and warm baking spice firm up the complexity. Round, soft, and expansive on the palate, it carries into a filibuster finish. To be clear, this is a one hundred percent complete, pedal to the metal Cab.

World’s End is a project by winemaking force Jonathan Maltus. The man has a LONG list of 95-100-point wines. He emerged as a leading visionary from the 1990s ‘garagiste’ period in St.-Émilion, where he pushed the limits and broke all the traditional rules to set new expectations for quality and price. He does it all, most notably across places like Le Dôme and Teyssier, and other top Right Bank estates. World’s End is his Napa outfit and he’s connected with all the right vineyards for sourcing, which are Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Georges III, and Stagecoach (on the Pritchard Hill side).

Like their other big hits, the theme is musical. If 6 Was 9 was a Jimi Hendrix Experience classic from 1967. So, we did as Jimi says in the namesake, and PILED UP: “I’ve got my own life to live, I’m the one that’s going to have to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” The only downside to this? Every World’s End has sold out in hours. Will you get in on this one in time?

We’ll leave you with what Jeb Dunnuck thought of this Reserve cuvée “more voluptuousness and opulence, with ripe darker currants, smoked tobacco, and lead pencil notes as well as medium to full-bodied richness on the palate. It’s a ripe, sexy, satisfying Cabernet, as well as a good value.”

If only he saw OUR PRICE…