2013 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

Two Green Jackets and Chad’s 8-Page NDA

A year ago, when Chad called to give us first shot at his 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, he was flying high. “There are just 12 barrels. The winery’s a regular on Robert Parker’s Greatest Hits. But I better shut up until I get the details worked out, or my lawyer’s gonna kill me.”

A couple nights later, we booked a table for three at Mustards. Rain pelted the restaurant windows. Our buddy was drenched head to toe as he pulled up a chair. He looked ragged, but not from the storm. Legal had just put him through the ringer. “I’ve spent more in attorney fees in the last four days than I did in the first 40 years of my life,” Chad lamented, fingers massaging his temples. “An 8-page NDA???? Are they kidding? Just one thing tonight, guys: For once, DON’T ASK QUESTIONS I can’t answer!”

What had been written into the small print of the winery NDA? Not only could there be no mention on the label — in printed material or on the web — of the name of the winery or its superstar winemaker, but there could be no discussion of the elevation of the vineyard from which the wine was drawn. By agreement, Chad could not disclose the names of the winery’s neighbors or THEIR winemakers. Nothing could be written, or even intimated, about the magnitude of the investment that went into the excavation, planting, and nurturing of what many believe to be one of Napa Valley’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignon sites.

What DID Chad disclose? The 2012 Private Reserve was comprised entirely of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, of which the winery never sold a cluster. Initially ticketed for the winery’s own $400/bottle release, during the assemblage the famous Flying Winemaker/consultant set aside 12 barrels that didn’t quite “fit” in the final blend. Chad got the first call. The winery wouldn’t have to make another.

Of the 300 cases produced of the 2012 Private Reserve, WineAccess took all but 50, with the understanding that if Chad made another Private Reserve in 2013, WineAccess would get it all. 6 months ago, our friend called to say that the winery had again agreed to 300 cases in 2013 — all of which were earmarked for WineAccess.

The astounding 2013 CHAD Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve (second bottling) is opaque purple. Explosive nose of blackberry and blackcurrant. Rich, dense, full-bodied, more chewy in texture than the first release, packed with black-fruit preserves and sweet spice, bracketed by sturdier tannin backbone. Drink now for its primary-fruit hedonism before it “shuts down.” Then lay down this superstar estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon until the mid- 2030s. Enormous dividends will be paid to the patient.

The last 36 cases of the second bottling of the 2013 CHAD Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve are now up for grabs. Under the winery’s own label? As always, there’s no confirmation from our winemaker friend, but we suspect 95-97 points and $400/bottle. Today under CHAD? $39. You make the call.

• ABV 14.80%
• Enjoy right away
• % Cabernet Sauvignon