2020 Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Year after year, the Cerro Cabernet remains our top-selling product year after year... this wine is truly exceptional.

Value is a word that's been absent from the discussion of quality Napa Cabs for some time, especially in these inflationary times. That's why we're excited to share with you the Cerro Cab on offer today.

J. Derek Beitler, winemaker and owner of JDB Wines (and maker of this Napa Cab) comes from a winemaking family that’s as well regarded as any in Napa. You may have heard of his uncle, Charlie Wagner, founder of Caymus. His brother owns Bohème in Sonoma.

Derek does not rest on the successes of his family, though. He spent his summers working at Caymus while in college and continues the pursuit of perfection in crafting his namesake wines. He now owns two wineries—Carne Humana Winery in Napa which he founded with his cousin Joey Wagner in 2010. But before that, he started his solo venture, JDB Wines, in 2007.

When someone who cut his teeth in the wine business at Caymus makes a Napa Cab, you pay attention. That’s a good thing because the Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley deserves your attention. It comes from a vineyard situated along the northern edge of the Oak Knoll District (covered by an NDA because other wines from here sell for $250+). Located in the southern part of Napa, the cooling effect from the San Pablo Bay keeps the climate temperate, creating a fresh, restrained profile on the Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon, which we found refreshing and zippy. What shines through is elevated red fruit accompanied by a lower ABV. The Cabernet is blended with a wee bit of Petit Verdot (just 5%) to add graceful tannins and compound the depth of flavor.

Aging: 40% new French oak barrels