Near-Perfect 99 Point Vintage: 2018 ALTA NorCal Napa Valley Red Blend
This is the Napa wine I’ve been waiting for in 2023! It masterfully blends Keanu Reeves's coolness factor in Point Break, with his seriousness in The Matrix. This fun, stylish, and laid-back label joins forces with fruit that packs a serious, serious punch for the price. As a matter of fact, Fred Oliai, the owner and winemaker, has been the exclusive supplier of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Kongsgaard Wines since 2009. By the way, wines from this estate can fetch up to $600 per bottle! Impressive, isn't it?
It's the kind of wine you'll want to crack open while hanging out with friends or family, gearing up for a relaxed BBQ, or treating yourself to your favorite takeout. Just take a sip, kick back, and let the good times flow. (Plus, the label is as cool as the wine itself!) But hold on, don't get me wrong here. The 2018 ALTA NorCal Napa Valley Red Blend is all about keeping it cool, but that doesn't mean it lacks stunning quality. Honestly, if it didn't, we wouldn't be featuring it here at BHW.
This wine hails from an almost perfect vintage year, that's right, a vintage rated 99 points by Wine Spectator, who called it a "spectacular year." The wine itself earned a stellar 93-point review from the renowned James Suckling, who described it as "Polished and creamy with bright acidity and Excellent structure."
This Bordeaux blend, composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, is, to put it simply, enchanting. It's a luscious, velvety, and rich blend bursting with blueberry and cassis aromas and flavors, concluding with a generous presence of fine tannins and hints of roasted coffee oak. It's right on the edge of perfect ripeness.
Now, let's talk about the winery itself. Nestled in the majestic Atlas Peak – the very region where some of the most iconic wineries source their fruit, names like Hess, Stagecoach, and Altamura come to mind – this winery pays homage to Napa Valley's unique terroir. So here’s the deal: 93pt Napa Red Blend, 99pt EPIC vintage, TOP-quality terroir, and all for under $35/bottle + free shipping on 6 or more bottles… Now this is what we call a GREAT deal!
