Mission Codename The Inaugural
IT’S HAPPENING!!
We’re feeling like Michael Scott in the fire drill scene - bursting with frantic, unrestrained excitement.
Because today marks the Wine Spies’ FIRST EVER in-house wine - Enigma!! There’s A LOT to unpack here…we’ll give you the “too long didn’t read” first, and the details after.
TL;DR - Meet Enigma, the new Wine Spies in-house label. We got some kickass Howell Mountain Cabernet from a 100-point winemaker we can’t name under a strict NDA. Seriously good stuff and the price is ridiculous. Inspiration comes from the legendary spycraft of the English codebreakers during WWII and the encryption machine they cracked. It has an interactive label you need to decipher using a special key printed on the cork and a virtual Enigma machine on our drinkenigma.wine website. And get this - we made five unique 1-of-1 labels for this Cabernet and set up an NFT auction for each. These will be some of the first-ever real-world asset-backed NFTs in existence.
Ok, not get a few bottles, and circle back to digest the full story.
First, let’s talk about the wine. This juice came with a strict NDA so we cannot burn our source. But if you know Napa Cabs, in particular the 100-point type, you know the name. Let’s just say he’s been said to have a “Midas Touch”.
This pure 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the epic 2018 vintage comes straight from the rugged terrain on Howell Mountain, where some of Napa’s best Cabs are born. And for $39, well there’s NOTHING comparable from this glorious AVA. Legends like Abreu, Lokoya or Dunn who exemplify this mythical appellation have long been launched well into the stratosphere from here. Good luck finding a Howell Mountain Cabernet for under $80. Just doesn’t happen, unless you’re rolling with us.
We knew this was the one when we tasted it last year. And it’s only improved. BIG, ripe, primetime, textbook Howell Mountain Cab here. BOOMING with brambly blackberry, blackcurrant, pencil lead, subtle minerality, and maybe some caramel macchiato?? and spice all flowing with some dusty tannins. Tastes just how you like it.
Now about that label and packaging. It’s unlike anything out there. First off, it’s BEAUTIFUL! No detail was spared here - laser cut, debossing, embossing, premium textured paper, hot stamp foil, custom dies, heavy glass. An impressive package in every way.
But here’s the coolest part.
Every Enigma wine contains a secret code, and you must use our virtual enigma machine to decipher it (scan the QR code on the back label). When you become a codebreaker, you gain entry into a wine club, unlike anything you know. You’ll get access to secret events, special offers, deep state secrets and other perks. It’s like the Skull and Bones, but instead of drinking blood we drink wine. And instead of establishing a New World Order we get a box of In-N-Out Burger and play bocce.
Cool, huh? BUT WE DIDN’T STOP THERE!
The launch also includes five 1-of-1 uniquely labeled bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, each available for purchase as NFT. These represent some of the first real world asset backed NFTs available anywhere. You can find the five auctions here if you’re interested. Whoever buys a bottle will own a SINGULAR example of this epic wine.
Now the bad news…
We could only get around 100 cases. Subtract a few cases for our own stashes (must stop drinking it and save some…UGH!) and a rapidly depleting inventory from everyone who’s currently checking out with their bottles now. WILL NOT LAST.
Tasting Profile
BIG, ripe, primetime, textbook Howell Mountain Cab here
Look | Deep ruby and crimson throughout the narrow rim, opaque and viscous in the heart |
---|---|
Smell | Brambly blackberry, blackcurrant, pencil lead, subtle minerality, caramel macchiato, spice |
Taste | BIG, ripe, primetime, textbook, flowing with some dusty tannins, tastes just how you like it |
Finish | Super long, we knew this was the one when we tasted it last year and it’s only improved |
Pairing | Definitely, the ultimate steak red, if meat’s not your thing it needs an impossible burger |
What the Winery Says
2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Undisclosed
- Varietal
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2018
- Appellation
- Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
- Alcohol
- 15%
- Elevation
- 1,700 feet
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak
- Production
- 4 barrels