2020 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Phil Titus’s legacy is certainly secure.

The Chappellet winemaker has put in 32 years at the iconic winery. He’s got a perfect 100-point score under his belt and he’s a perennial Wine Access favorite—and his 2020 Titus Cabernet will only strengthen his status.

This is a wine to put in the pipe of any misguided soul who thinks Napa Valley Cabernet greatness starts at $80. Grown primarily in the ample sunlight and diverse soils of Titus Ranch at the base of Howell Mountain, it’s the centerpiece of Titus's lineup, and it’s up there with some of his most powerful and exquisitely focused Cabs.

Neighbor-wines like Revana, Hourglass, and Melka’s Montbleau bottling will all set you back $180 or more. At a fraction of that, this bottle delivers a mix of terroir, vintage, viticulture, and winemaking that makes it one of the best deals in cellarworthy Napa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Simple as that.

In 2020, Titus and his crew—including his PhD. vineyard-manager brother Eric and winemaker Stephan Cruzan—hit it out of the park again. The team made the decision to declassify some lots that normally go into the high-dollar Titus Reserve, and they made their way into this bottling. That gives this bottle a bit more oomph than usual—it really is a standout.

A regimen of 20 months in 60% new French and Hungarian oak gave this Cabernet stunning polish and sophistication. The wine is awash in aromas of black currant, blackberry, and mocha. The palate is rich and supple, with labyrinthine corridors of espresso, bold dark fruit, and bittersweet chocolate. It’s showing beautiful concentration and density in its youth, and has the potential to age for a decade.