Sueno Profundo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

There are no banks on what they call the Money Road just east of St Helena and Oakville. Instead, you find some of the most prime real estate for Cabernet Sauvignon anywhere in the world. The estates of Joseph Phelps, Hall, Seavey and Anderson’s Conn Valley run northwest from Lake Hennessy while on the other side of the lake, Pritchard Hill hosts the estates of Chappellet and David Arthur.

It’s no surprise that Ry Richards, tapping into his experience as the Assistant Winemaker at Chappellet, chose to secure his Sueno Profundo 2018 from one of these priceless parcels that dot the eastern hills of the Valley. Ry was in a position better than anyone to understand that 2018 was a year perfectly blueprinted for superbly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon that would drink beautifully in youth, but would also age elegantly for up to 20 years.  His Sueno Profundo Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a classic in the making.

Ry’s unique sourcing ability and steady winemaking hand allowed him to take full advantage of the market conditions that led to this remarkable wine. 2018 enjoyed a near perfect growing season that began in late February. Spring was cool and dry, with extended flowering that brought perfect grape clusters. The summer was free of the extreme heat events that plagued earlier vintages this decade, extending development on the vine all the way to the end of October. This magical year culminated in a long, event-free harvest that was 2-3 weeks later than normal. The grapes were tiny, with thick skins, and packed with incredible potential for complexity and concentration. The resulting wines are every bit of what Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has described as “…. packed with purity, vibrancy and energy.”

Sueno Profundo is very much a part time gig for Ry so only 10 precious barrels of the 2018 Cabernet were produced. Exactly one made it east and it’s earmarked for Nicholas Wines. Sueno is a killer deal, as compared to over $100/bottle for nearly every top wine from the same neighborhood, under $35 today.