2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County is sold out.

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The Cab That Should Be $150

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    2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County 750 ml

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    Sign up to receive notifications when wines from this producer become available.
    • Curated by unrivaled experts
    • Choose your delivery date
    • Temperature controlled shipping options
    • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

    On the Trail of a Star Winemaker’s Value Cab

    When Oakville’s signature rugged power and St. Helena’s up-valley freshness come together the result is magical…  and normally commands $50 or more per bottle. Today, that combination—polished to a perfect sheen by a 99-point Lafite-trained winemaker—costs far less.

    Grown primarily on two NDA-shrouded vineyard sites in Oakville and St. Helena, this 2018 is arguably the most acclaimed value in Napa Cab, combining luxe vineyard pedigree with unmatched winemaking talent, an outstanding vintage, and a radical value price… and that’s at the winery’s “suggested” $32 rate. Today, it’s an even better deal.

    Bold, rich, and silky, the palate explodes with floral notes that are quickly engulfed by waves of black fruit like cassis, plum, and blackberry. On the mid-palate, Cultivar’s luxurious cellar regime comes to the forefront with notes of Ecuadorian cacao, hints of tobacco, Tahitian vanilla, and floral undertones on the long finish. The mark of Julien Fayard, the Cabernet genius behind Purlieu and Wine Access member-favorite Le Pich, is clear. 

    The story of Cultivar mirrors some of our favorite finds: Crafted with $$$ care from budbreak to bottling, the 2018 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon was destined for on-premise consumption paid for by big-ticket expense accounts in San Francisco at the wine’s namesake watering hole. But when unexpected twists of fate changed everything, this ruby-hued Cab was re-routed to our HQ. After one glass, we secured as many bottles as possible for Wine Access members. 

    As one early Cultivar adopter and Wine Access member put it alongside a perfect 5-star review, “Of the Napa Cabs I have purchased from you this is by far the best. Great balance, fruit, mid-palate and finish.”

    2018 was as close to perfect as possible in Napa Valley, with pristine Cabernet practically falling off the vines. In Fayard’s hands, the Valley’s warm, sunny season was concentrated in a Cabernet Sauvignon that’s silken yet powerful. Gifted with spicy, chocolatey nuance from 18 months in a mix of new and seasoned French oak, Cultivar’s pedigree is evident from the first sip. We highly recommend stocking this one by the case if you can.