BigHammerWines.com

For more than 30 years, one of Napa Valley’s most acclaimed winemakers—best known for his work at Screaming Eagle and for crafting multiple 100-point wines—has built a career on precision, sourcing brilliance, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality.

His signature project began with a radical idea: create one Cabernet-driven red blend each year, free from the limits of any single appellation, and powered by the best vineyard sites across Northern California.

This philosophy opened the door to something rare in Napa: a wine defined by freedom, not boundaries. Each vintage, he selects standout lots from volcanic foothills, mountain slopes, and cool-climate pockets—coaxing intensity, depth, and character from each varietal. The result is a bold, expressive, California red that consistently earns 90+ scores year after year, offering the kind of power, richness, and complexity normally reserved for far more expensive bottles.

His mission was simple: create one extraordinary wine—big, layered, and compelling—shaped by California’s finest sites. Decades later, that spirit of exploration still drives this project, delivering a red blend that overdelivers every single time and reflects the vision of one of Napa’s most celebrated winemakers.

A surge of late 2021 rain set the stage for a standout 2022 vintage. Spring stayed cool and dry until April warmth pushed the vines into early budbreak. A sudden summer heat spike and tiny berry size triggered a fast, high-intensity harvest, but its high-elevation sites were shielded enough to achieve full phenolic ripeness.

The result? Wines with serious texture, depth, and power—built on complexity and pure California muscle.

ABV: 14.5%

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Alluring aromas of sweet cigar wrapper, luxardo cherry, and plum mark the wine. Currants, baking spices, and black tea contribute to a palette that is both earthy and savory, shaped by our rocky Northern California terrain. The fine, chalky tannins are structured and elegant. 

This multi-appellation, cabernet-dominated blend delivers quality and value. Aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice, bitter chocolate, violet and spice. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with softly integrated tannins and bright acidity that leads into a plush and generous finish. Fresh, with early-drinking appeal and a high level of sophistication. Drink or hold. ~ 94 James Suckling

Surprisingly, the 2022 Red Wine may outshine the 2021 vintage. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot, it's loaded with black cherries and cassis. Still not overly complex, it's a big, full-bodied and crowd-pleasing red wine that proves you don't need to have residual sugar or use Mega Purple to fill this niche. Velvety textured, fruit forward and long on the finish, it's a fun, easy-drinking wine at a regular-person price. ~ 92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2022 Red Wine comes from a mix of Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, and is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. Red and black fruits, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and truffly earth notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, solid balance, and outstanding length. ~ 91 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 is soft, fruity and very easy to like. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit and mint open in the glass. The 2022 is a bit lighter than most recent years, a reflection of the growing season, but that just adds to its appeal and drinkability. Floral and spice notes emerge on the finish. This is very strong for the year. ~ 90 Vinous Media

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