2019 Dolum Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Dolum is known for their obsessive sourcing: They tap some of the top AVAs and terroir in Napa Valley, often omitting the source from the label, to produce wines that deliver outstanding quality. This bottle is sourced chiefly from a 40-year old Oakville site near Money Road, but also from a spot not too far from Cliff Lede’s Poetry Vineyard in Stags Leap. It’s a prime example of what the winery, guided by Chad Alexander’s expert hand, does best. 

It’s made by Napa insider–famous winemaker Chad Alexander, who started making wine before he was old enough to drink it. 

He first dragged hoses as a teenager at Hess collection in 1985, and worked there all through college. Eventually this Mount Veeder local worked his way up to become head winemaker at Robert Craig Winery, crafting many critically acclaimed Cabernets. Since 2006, he's been a consulting winemaker in high demand by names like V12, Reilly Family, and Rahn Estate. He’s also the head winemaker for Dolum Estates.

This comes from the stunning 2019 vintage and its 94-point score from Suckling matched wines like 2019 Lail J. Daniel ($291), and 2019 Far Niente ($118).

You wouldn’t bat an eye at the winery price if you tasted this bottle blind alongside some of Oakville and Stags Leap’s better-known labels. To get this bottle for this price? That’s a run-don’t-walk kind of deal.