Shattercane Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Folks here in the Valley describe Cathleen Murphy as that super-cool grandma you know and love. During her career as a nurse in the Bay Area, she developed a passion for wine. The story goes, that one day, a patient in her care was prepping for a dangerous, high-risk procedure. He also happened to be the proprietor of a famous Napa vineyard. Upon learning about her home-winemaking passion, he struck a karma-increasing deal...if the procedure went off without a hitch, four rows of his famous cabernet sauvignon would be hers to make as she saw fit. And, here we are!

Now made at Bart and Daphne Araujo's Wheeler Family winery facility (which is also an ultra-premium custom crush operation), Cathleen happily soaks up wine-making tips and guidance from some of the best in the business. This is a tremendous discovery for all lovers of classically endowed Napa cabernet. Flavors of hoisin sauce, blackberry pie, elderberry liqueur, chocolate-dusted raspberries, toasted black pepper, and more! Great concentration with a harmonious balance of fruit and structure. This is drink-me-up, powerful Napa cabernet at its best...for a price that can’t be beat!

82% Sleeping Lady Vineyard is the elephant in the room here...since the Bettinelli family purchased this vineyard in 2013 – one that they stewarded (on behalf of far larger winery players) for decades – this vineyard has quickly become home to some of the most desirable fruit in Napa. No fewer than three multiple 100-point winemakers make cabernet from this hallowed ground, including Benoit Touquette (Realm), Francoise Peschon (Araujo, Vine Hill Ranch), and Julien Fayard (Purlieu). That they are now joined by a retired nurse and salt-of-the-earth person like Cathleen, well, that just confirms everything we love about the wine industry. This vineyard sits at the western edge of the Yountville AVA, tucked in the shadow of an undulating ridge of the Mayacamas range, whose shape inspired the vineyard’s name. The soil was formed by a once a fast-moving river that deposited jagged rocks and sand from miles away and created a thick layer of gravel beneath the topsoil – providing exceptional drainage and optimal stress – and yielding small, concentrated berries with layered complexity.

This is a wine meant to be shared – a word-of-mouth gem that we are thrilled to have discovered...now it’s your turn! 50% OFF, top-notch cabernet sauvignon with this sort of pedigree...what are you waiting for?!?! While it lasts!

PAIRING IDEAS: We’re feeling Nigerian Suya...a street food of highly seasoned grilled beef skewers that are sure to become a feather in your cap.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Yeah, “Free Bird” is great, “Sweet Home Alabama” too... but “Simple Man”... Lynyrd Skynyrd at their very, very best.