Duckhorn Postmark Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Having already set the standard for Merlot in the Napa Valley, the Duckhorns have been on a buying spree that would make even the Perrin brothers blush. When you’re constantly on the hunt for the very top real estate in the valley – let’s face it, all of California – and your last name is Duckhorn – you have your pick of the litter.

Kosta Browne for access to some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Calera for exclusive access to six of the most coveted blocks of Pinot Noir in the state. Canvasback for Red Mountain Washington Cabernet. The list goes on and on.

But the final piece de resistance would be a Napa Valley Cabernet that could be had for under $30. If you’ve been reading this for a while, you know that I too share that obsession. So how did they do it?

While scouring the valley for top acquisition possibilities, the Duckhorn team began to know absolutely every crook and cranny within the valley. However, a few of the vineyards they discovered didn’t quite fit the bill – just yet. Maybe too small for its own bottling. Maybe not quite ready to sell.

Well – starting in 2018 Duckhorn could no longer let those tiny opportunities pass them by and they began to see that by combining all these tiny sites they could assemble a powerhouse Napa Cab for dimes on the dollar.

The vineyard sources are amazing – like a patchwork quilt of the valley. A little property atop Atlas Peak. St. Helena to add depth. Stag’s Leap for the structure and backbone. Rutherford, Mt. Veeder, Diamond Mountain… All in all over six separate lots were expertly blended like a master painter.

And they couldn’t have picked a better vintage to unleash their new project – called Postmark. The 2018 Duckhorn Postmark Cabernet is dark and lush with rolling layers of dark fruits (cassis, blackberry, boysenberry) before it gives way to a hint of violets. A profound Cabernet for the price.