2018 Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Grigsby Vineyard Yountville Napa Valley 750 ml

To cut to the chase: The 2018 Rocca Family Grigsby Vineyard Cab is a SEARING bargain.

Jeb Dunnuck called it “Terrific…beautifully textured…just loaded with charm,” awarding it the same score as PlumpJack Estate ($150), Turnbull Amoenus ($135), and Kenzo Ai ($290). Grown organically near Gemstone and Kapcsándy in a prime cut of Yountville, it’s an opulent, fruit-driven Cabernet from a member-favorite producer.

In 1996, Mary Rocca purchased a 21-acre property situated in the northwest corner of the intersection of Yountville Cross Road and the Silverado Trail, just a five-iron from the Stags Leap line. The soils are composed of light clay loam, strewn with small river rocks. Drainage is excellent. 

The site, Grigsby Vineyard, proved to be magical for growing Bordeaux varieties. While summer days can be blistering hot, marine breezes and fog from San Pablo Bay temper the July and August sun, allowing for the extended hang-time so critical for making world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rocca recruited one of Napa’s most renowned winemakers, Celia Welch, to make the first vintages. In 2007, they hired Paul Colantuoni—a talented up-and-comer seasoned by stints at Mondavi, Neyers, Vieux Télégraphe, and Brancaia—to grab the baton and craft the wine. 

Colantuoni grew up with an appreciation for wine thanks to his Italian father and Italian-American mother, and he’s been the key to Rocca’s consistent quality over the years. When you taste this gorgeous, brawny, and hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon, you’ll know exactly why Rocca recruited him. 

On tasting it, our VP of Wine, Eduardo Dingler, declared “It’s a knockout. Let’s get this in straight away,” and we all agreed.