2016 Idiosyncrasy Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 750 ml

Today the 2016 Idiosyncrasy Oakville Cab does the impossible: It combines Napa Valley’s most exclusive terroir with 99-point winemaking and a dynamite vintage for $25.

Normally, we consider it a gift to find Oakville Cabernet for less than $100, but when we do find them, those bargains rarely have the pedigree and complexity of Idiosyncrasy. A deep ruby color, it opens with beautiful ripeness on the nose, showing blackberry jam, plum, and Chambord accented by vanilla pipe smoke, bakings spice, and a touch of cedar. On the palate, this drinks like its $100+ neighbors Far Niente, Groth, Rudd, and Alpha Omega with high-toned red fruit intertwined with tightly-woven tannins that promise to soften beautifully in the cellar. 

The main vineyard behind this Cabernet is a dry-farmed 100-acre parcel whose gravel and loam soils are known for producing one of California’s most revered Bordeaux-style red wines. Oakville is prized for its gravelly and sandy soils, which are extremely well-draining. Located about halfway up the Napa Valley, Oakville is far enough north to enjoy the heat, but close enough to the San Pablo Bay to benefit from the cooling effects of morning fog and afternoon breezes. This confluence of conditions makes Oakville one of the premier sites for Cabernet Sauvignon—not just in Napa Valley, not just in California, but in the world. 

This quality level matches perfectly with winemaker Julien Fayard’s bi-continental experience—and if you ask us, validates his decision to make Napa Valley his home. 

Julien resisted the irresistible—a birthright to produce one of the most elegant and delicately aromatic rosés in the South of France—in order to pursue a dream of making Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, where he saw the grape’s highest potential. So after gathering experience at Bordeaux First Growth Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Graves, he crossed the pond in pursuit of his dream. 

Once in California, he aimed right for the top, making wine for Napa Valley’s Quintessa, Dalla Valle, Métisse, Lail, and Gemstone. Eventually, Julien struck out on his own by founding Purlieu, the 96-99-point critical-darling Cabernet label whose name, among Wine Access members, has become synonymous with “sold out.” 

We expect the same result for this 2016 Idiosyncrasy Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, sourced from the world-famous Napa Valley AVA that represents California Cabernet to the world. We don’t recommend waiting to stock up.