Sueno Profundo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

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 2019 from one of these priceless parcels that dot the eastern hills of the Valley. In what Vinous raved as the second of two back-to-back vintages that have never been seen before, they hailed 2019 as having, ” a bit more depth and energy” than its predecessor.  Ry’s 2019 is roaring out of the gates with fleshy black fruits and layers of intricacy.

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.  In 2019, the hot summer gave the big Napa Cabs their signature bold structure. Vinous remarked that the ” extra kick of late heat seems to have given the wines just enough added concentration to fill out their frames.”  The grapes were tiny, with thick skins, and packed with incredible potential for complexity and concentration.

Sueno Profundo is very much a part time gig for Ry and in 2019, even less wine got made then the year before. Only eight barrels of this special Cabernet Sauvignon were made. So far, only one barrel has made it east and it’s earmarked for Nicholas Wines. After an 18-month hiatus, one of our Napa Cab kings is finally back.