2022 Coup de Foudre Lightning Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Quick Description
- Extremely Allocated: ONLY 6 Barrels Were Made!
- "Well-Behaved, Well-Balanced & Nicely Concentrated" ~94 JS
- From the Owner of Amuse Bouche & Au Sommet
- BHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!
- Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles

2022 Coup de Foudre Lightning Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
- Extremely Allocated: ONLY 6 Barrels Were Made!
- "Well-Behaved, Well-Balanced & Nicely Concentrated" ~94 JS
- From the Owner of Amuse Bouche & Au Sommet
- BHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!
- Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles
About the Wine
The 2022 Coup de Foudre ‘Lightning Bolt’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a lightning strike in a bottle: a rare, 100% Napa Valley Cabernet made only in vintages when the grapes delivered an outstanding quality. In 2022, there was no hesitation. The fruit was electric, the texture sublime, and the balance undeniable. Only 6 barrels were bottled. That’s it.
Crafted by winemaker Kent Jarman, known for his elegant yet powerful style, and guided by proprietor John Schwartz—the force behind prestige Napa projects like Amuse Bouche and Au Sommet—this is a wine with pedigree and purpose. It’s plush, richly layered, and deeply expressive of Calistoga’s volcanic soils. Yet it remains remarkably approachable in its youth. Think velvety tannins, concentrated dark berries, and a finish that lingers like a summer storm.
But this isn’t just a wine. It’s a love story.
The name Coup de Foudre—French for “lightning bolt” or “love at first sight”—was inspired by Schwartz’s own chance meeting with his future wife while studying in France. That spark became the soul of the brand: wines meant to mark unforgettable moments. The labels even peel back so you can write in your own story—where you were, who you were with, and why this bottle mattered.
As Decanter Magazine writes:
“This Calistoga-based winery’s name translates in French as a bolt from the blue—when lightning, or Cupid’s arrow, strikes… Many of the wines’ elaborate labels showcase excerpts of Schwartz’s love letters (written in French, of course) penned during their courtship.”
Coup de Foudre debuted in 2004 with just a few hundred cases and has grown carefully into one of Napa Valley’s most beloved boutique wineries. With just 2,500 cases produced annually across 10 small-lot wines—including Bordeaux-style blends, a rare Sonoma Coast Pinot, and even Champagne from Epernay—each bottling is handcrafted, heartfelt, and highly allocated.
The Lightning Bolt Cabernet is Coup de Foudre’s most exclusive release. It’s not made every year.
Aging: 80% New French Oak. Aged 18 months.
Tasting Notes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Showing exquisite varietal character, the 2022 vintage is rich with elements of Cacao, blackberry, subtle spice, and warm custard balanced by great natural acidity and a velvety tannin structure.
Critical Reviews
A well-behaved, well-balanced and nicely concentrated wine that stays elegant and drinkable through a lingering finish. Made from 100% cabernet sauvignon grown on the estate vineyard in Calistoga. Full-bodied, vibrant and a bit subtle. Drink now or hold. ~94 James Suckling
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Lightning Bolt is a dark, brooding offering from Coup de Foudre. Like all the wines in this range, it is on the lighter side, yet all the elements are well balanced. Macerated cherry, plum, gravel, lavender, and rose petal build in the glass. The tannins could use time to soften, but this is very nicely done, especially within the context of the year. ~94 Vinous Media
A six-barrel selection from the same small Calistoga vineyard used for the regular Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Lightning Bolt shows more even ripeness and fewer green notes, with ample cherry fruit leading the way. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, finishing with some slightly tough, gritty tannins. I'd consume it on the young side, paired with rare beef or lamb to help balance the wine's astringency. ~92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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Food Pairing
Red Meat
Grilled Meat
Smoked Meat
Grilled
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