2021 Classified Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Sure, we’re partial to Mustard’s, PRESS, and Charter Oak. But when we’re getting late-night deals done in the thick of the downtown Napa action, we’re clinking glasses at Cole’s Chop House—and that’s where we landed the 2021 Classified Cabernet. 

First, let us set the scene. It was just past 9, and the dining room was packed and lively, borderline raucous. Our oysters, prawn cocktail, and mushroom crostini were all cashed out and cleared, the white tablecloth was swept clear of any trace of our first courses, and the white Burgundy in our glasses was waning. As the server marked our places for various cuts of perfectly seared dry-aged beef, the wine director materialized, again and again, bearing Bordeaux-style glasses and a few unmarked decanters.

“Thank you, good sir,” said our friend Trevor to the somm. Trevor is our good buddy—the man behind GAIT and other blockbusters that have become Wine Access faves—and unbeknownst to us, he’d brought along an arsenal of top bottles: an old Opus, a 2005 Pontet-Canet, a 2016 Spottswoode, plus one more. 

Starting just before the many medium-rare steaks hit the table, we paid the A-list bottles their due respect. But when we dug in, we turned to Trevor’s new creation and were blown away at how excellent it was—especially considering what our palates had just encountered. 

The 2021 Classified Cabernet is sourced from what you might call the Rodeo Drive of Pritchard Hill, not far from where Bryant, Chappellet, and Continuum call home. That’s what Trevor volunteered, and we know better than to press him on details. He tells us what he can tell us, and he lets what’s in the bottle say the rest.