Interesting Reds

Blend: 40% Syrah, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Grenache Vintage production: 300 cases

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Charbano, 5% Zinfandel Vintage production: n/a Anyone who's drunk a Cabernet Sauvignon made by Benoit Touquette will know why he's regarded as one... of the greatest winemakers of his generation. With countless 100 point scores at Realm Cellars for The Bard, The Absurd, Moonracer Estate, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernets, he's at the top of his game. So when he releases a Cab under his own label, it's a complete no-brainer! That makes his Teeter-Totter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 one of the shrewdest buys from Napa, especially with Jeb Dunnuck saying "It tastes as if it costs two to three times the price." With Teeter-Totter, Benoit gets to cherry pick fruit from his favourite vineyards throughout Napa. The result is a red that's both serious and complex, as well as delicious and moreish from the word go. Benoit described 2019 as a "100% drool-worthy vintage", and his final blend was 85% Cabernet Sauvignon from St Helena, Yountville and Rutherford; 5% each of Petite Sirah, Charbono and Zinfandel from Calistoga. It's in the classic Benoit-style with plenty of richness and opulence, with a great structure to carry it along.

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% St. Macaire, 1% Cabernet Franc Production: 6,037 cases This is a wine that sets the benchmark for Napa Valley AVA Cabs every year, showcasing... the stunning quality of the three Estate Vineyards. The Howell Mountain Estate surrounds the winery, flowing through three distinct sites: The Amphitheatre Vineyard derives its name from its shape across the hillside, and the Rancho Del Oso Vineyard take its name from a resident black bear!. Newest is the Osprey's Nest Vineyard, just upslope from the winery, which is shared with a young family of Osprey. Together, they bring the dark fruit flavours and graphite minerality of Howell Mountain to the wine. The second Estate Vineyard is on Mount Veeder. The vines from the steeply terraced ‘Betty’s Vineyard’ consistently produce clusters with small berries and intense flavours. It’s one of the most remote and breathtaking vineyards in Napa, and adds a savoury earthiness and brilliant structure Lastly, the Oakville vineyard spans 13 hectares surrounding Betty and Paul’s home. Just a stones throw from the famed BOND St. Eden Vineyard, the Cabernet here exudes the classic Oakville richness and luxury. This Cabernet is guaranteed to bring the goods and will go toe-to-toe with any Cabernet out there. It’s always a sure-fire hit from wine maker Sean Capiaux and his team at O’Shaughnessy.