Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018. Durant & Booth

We love finding great wines we are unfamiliar with, such as Durant & Booth. The story goes back to 1897 when Fred Durant, Willis, and Joseph Booth founded their winery on the legendary land of Napa Valley's Oakville. They were one of the first. Napa was getting a name for making great wine, but there was not much in the food area to compliment it with. So, they purchased the Oakville Mercantile and general store which became The Oakville Grocery, as it is today.

Unless you live in Napa, particularly Oakville, you have probably never heard of The Oakville Grocery. It is as famous as many of the iconic wineries which dot the hills near Highway 29. On our first trip to Napa in 1973, we heard as much about the grocery store as we did about the wineries. The winery and store were purchased by the Boisset family after the passing of the owners who had controlled it for generations. Their impeccable history of making superb wine is now evident in this selection.

Harvested in the cool morning hours from vineyards across Napa Valley including the Calistoga, St Helena, and Rutherford appellations, the grapes were hand sorted and underwent extended maceration before aging for 10 months in 25% new French oak. A dark purple in the glass opening with vibrant aromas of red cherry, strawberry and mulberry with a suggestion of lilac. The flavors are layered with baked plum, blueberries and mocha with a nuance of spice and a touch of earthiness on the palate, perfect with imposing foods such as a charred rib eye or lamb tenderloin. This is a structured and well balanced Cabernet Sauvignon with fine grained tannins. The finish lasts until the next glass.

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