2022 Phantomir Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Weston Eidson is one of the most exciting talents in California. 

His work bears the teachings of his mentor, Napa Cabernet kingpin Russell Bevan, who has authored a slew of 100-point wines. His brand-new 2022 Phantomir Ridge Cab forges his talents with two stunning Napa sites. One is in Yountville, nearly in Stags Leap, not far from Realm’s famed (and $400+) Moonracer Estate Vineyard. The other is in Oakville, just south of the Rutherford line, a quick walk from the legendary Beckstoffer Georges III. 

Eidson clearly knows the secret passwords to get what he wants. By the time he made his first vintage, he was tapping sites like Sonoma’s iconic Bacigalupi Vineyard and chatting up Steve Matthiasson to nab grapes from the California guru’s famous Linda Vista Vineyard.

He then talked his way into Pinot Noir from the Charles Heintz Vineyard, crafting a 97-pointer. 

The 2022 Phantomir Ridge Cabernet, might just be his crown-jewel accomplishment.

Start with his Yountville site, which sits in the southeastern section of the AVA, close to Realm’s famed (and $400+) Moonracer Estate Vineyard. This alone would be a coup for a wine at Phantomir’s $100 winery price, but to add prime Oakville Cabernet into the blend just makes it a better deal.

Those Oakville grapes come from the prime northern edge of the AVA, right by the Rutherford line and Beckstoffer’s legendary Georges III Vineyard, source of $300+ wines from the likes of Schrader and Williams-Selyem. Oakville is known for its powerful, dark-fruited bottlings, but this adds a touch of dusty cocoa to the mix—a tribute to the blending of terroirs here.