Illustrious Napa Valley Red Wine 2018

Napa Valley is home to some of the finest red grapes and wines in the world. Given the popularity of Napa reds—something about the words ‘Napa Valley’ on a wine label sets pulses racing—and their escalating prices, our California experts are always on the lookout for the best-value bottles…and we are thrilled to bring this discovery to you.

We’re excited about this wine’s vintage. Though California has been on a hot streak since 2012, producing excellent wines year after year, 2018 is a true standout for Napa Valley. Wine Spectator wrote that it was a “near picture-perfect growing season.” While critic James Suckling declared that it would be “hard to think of a better vintage for those looking for finesse and refinement.”

Deeply colored, Illustrious is a beautiful marriage of four of Napa’s grape nobility: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah. The grapes are sourced from the premium districts of Rutherford, Oak Knoll, and beyond. They combine to create a smooth and velvety blend that’s brimming with expressive ripe red and blue berry fruit aromas and dark-fruit flavors.

Illustrious is a bold, full-bodied red, perfect for evenings by the fire pit or dinner parties with friends. Though it’s delicious for sipping, it truly zings with food. Pair it with a wide range of dishes, from juicy burgers and barbecue to risottos and hearty stews.

Enjoy your bottle now or save it for a future special occasion—you can carefully cellar it through 2030.