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About the Wine

This is not your average Napa blend. This is what happens when you take a picturesque vineyard, farm it organically, and hand the winemaking reins to Robbie Meyer, a man who treats wine like both a science experiment and a work of art. Robbie cut his teeth at Peter Michael, then made waves at Lewis Cellars and Peirson Meyer. With Ruston, he’s crafting small-lot, high-quality wines that make you question everything you thought you knew about Merlot-based blends.

Cuvée Mahalia is the wine that pleases everyone at the table—The secret? A masterful blend of 66% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Think of Merlot as the velvet, Cabernet Franc as the spice, and Cabernet Sauvignon as the backbone. Together, they create something that’s more than the sum of its parts—a wine that’s deep, luxurious, and endlessly intriguing.

Ruston Family Vineyards has been farming the west St. Helena hills since 1941. What started as a prune orchard, transformed into a small but mighty vineyard, producing wines that reflect the rugged terrain, complex soils, and a legacy of passion. Cuvée Mahalia is named after the family’s oldest daughter.

Production was limited to just 90 cases, which means if you want a bottle, you’d better act fast.

2018 was a Napa winemaker's dream, a vintage Decanter says “belongs in an echelon with the finest of the past two decades,” and Wine Spectator blessed this year with 99 points and said it was a "Spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven."

Tasting notes

66% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. From the first swirl, dark fruit aromas leap from the glass—blackberries, wild blueberries, and a whisper of ripe black cherries. It’s like stepping into a berry patch at golden hour. But wait—there’s more. Hints of mint, sage, and dark chocolate sneak into the mix, adding a layer of sophistication that makes every sip feel like a discovery. The texture? Silky and lush, with fine tannins that remind you this beauty isn’t just for show; it’s got aging potential.

Critical Reviews

NYR

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Food Pairing

Steak

Pasta

Meat

Tapas & Pintxos

Oven-cooked