2019 Yesterday Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

The Rutherford winery we sourced this extravagantly rich Cabernet from is an estate of singular pedigree in Napa, and many know it by a name that’s shorthand for vinicultural excellence.

A multigenerational, family-run estate, they make a “cult classic,” according to Forbes, and Robert Parker has pronounced their bottlings to be “among the most… powerful” wines in Napa Valley.

We can’t mention the winery name, but no NDA agreement can cloak the dramatic sweep and fine-grained muscularity of this top-shelf Rutherford Cabernet. The nose bursts with black- and blue-fruit aromas, underlined by seductive notes of vanilla, pipe tobacco, and crème caramel. The mouthfeel is full-bodied but graceful, replete with blue fruit, sassafras, and exotic spices elegantly held in place by superfine tannins. The longer this wine sits in the glass, the brighter and more focused it becomes, lighting up the palate with a zing of acidity.

The founders of this estate don’t just aspire to greatness or best-in-show honors—in vintage after vintage, they pursue perfection. With top critical acclaim in the bag for a roster of extraordinary wines, they’ve achieved their goal.

The power and precision of this wine are rooted in decades of organic farming: The estate was a regional pioneer in cutting pesticides and herbicides out of its vineyard management. A visit to the vineyards—the Rutherford plot is barely more than three acres—showcases exuberantly healthy vines, buzzing with pollinators and awash in sunlight. Every sip is informed by that biodiversity.

When you’re paying a literal fraction of the original price, each sip is all the sweeter.