Meteor Vineyard Special Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012

Add 1+ bottles to your cart and immediately receive an additional 50% savings!

I had to double and triple-check our spreadsheet for this one, folks, and it’s safe to say Christmas has arrived early today. We’re talking one of Napa’s most prized vineyards, a textbook excellent vintage, 96 points from Vinous, and over $260 in savings on this spectacular Special Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t be shy; load up on as much as you possibly can!

Internet pioneer and early leader of AOL, Barry Schuler, bought the property that would become Meteor Vineyard along with his wife, Tracy, in 1998. They hired legendary viticulturist Mike Wolf to assess the potential of the land, which (spoiler alert) turned out to be a goldmine for growing Cabernet. Their parcel sits on a slope in Napa Valley’s Coombsville appellation, overtop stony, volcanic soils that are ideal for developing richly complex Cabernet Sauvignon. Since their inaugural vintage in 2005, the Schulers have partnered with winemakers Bill and Dawnine Dyer to craft elegant, balanced wines that are built to age for decades.

And this – the Special Family Reserve from the remarkable 2012 vintage – is a pure and utter powerhouse from one of Napa’s most illustrious AVAs. Meteor helped build the reputation of the Coombsville region as a top area where world-class Napa Cabs can be born, and where the best winemakers come to source their grapes. Winemaking mavens like Andy Erickson, Philippe Melka, Andy Smith, and others have lined up for fruit from Meteor Vineyard over the past two decades, but Bill and Dawnine Dyer always get the top fruit for crafting the two Meteor estate Cabs.

These Cabernets have proven to age unbelievably well, and this 2012 is no different. It’s fully mature yet still carries an air of freshness, with a percolating backbone of acidity and prominent blackberry, black cherry, and plum notes to fill out the plush core. Espresso, dark chocolate, leather, and some light oak spice bring layers of added texture and richness, with dusty, smooth tannins and a kiss of peppery heat that satisfy endlessly on the finish. Just an all-around epic Napa Cab from a storied winery that has entered its prime and is destined for continued greatness. You’re saving over $260 on just one of these, so you might as well bring home a few!

PAIRING IDEAS: I’m a sucker for a bowl dinner (that is, throw it all in a bowl and call it good) – and these shredded Greek beef bowls are everything to me. Fresh yet rich, with loads of flavor, and the perfect complement to this broody, intense library Cab.