2022 Burgess Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Tom Burgess established Burgess Cellars in 1972 on the steep slopes of Howell Mountain, where Italian-speaking Swiss immigrants first planted vines in the 1870s. The estate that Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich called home before launching Stag's Leap and Grgich has been crafting flagship Cabernet since inception — a half-century track record built on mountain fruit and continuity.

The 2022 Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Sorenson and Haymaker vineyards on the west and east-facing sides of Howell Mountain, where only 4% of Napa's acreage sits. Antonio Galloni called Burgess "the most impressive turnaround of 2022" — and this bottle proves it.

The wine opens with ripe black currants and lush blackberries, layered with sage, mint, and sweet tobacco. The palate is balanced yet lively, with a velvety finish that stretches long. It's the kind of Cabernet that drinks like it cost twice the ask — mountain structure and Napa depth at a price that makes buying the case feel smart.

Meghan Zobeck farms regeneratively to honor the valley's heritage and preserve what she calls the "magic" for the next generation. The result: 92 Wine Enthusiast, 91 Vinous, and $39.88 for a wine that punches well above its weight.