2022 Echoes in the Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Our buddy jumped into Napa Valley winemaking relatively late. He was no UC Davis wunderkind, but he made up for that by networking assiduously, showing up early, staying late, and never dropping the ball. After building a résumé with stints at a cult Howell Mountain Cab producer, a Pritchard Hill icon, and a Carneros Chardonnay juggernaut, he set out to join a winery for the long haul.

That was seven years ago. Now he’s practically running one of the top estates in Stags Leap. Just a month ago, we stood at the entrance to the barrel room of his winery, with the famed Stags Leap palisades looming above. We looked down with him toward Silverado Trail.

“These three blocks here go into the Big Boy,” he said, referring to three nearby parcels and using his term for the estate’s $300+ flagship. “And a little into our Napa Valley Cab.” He pointed further. “Those two round it out.” 

Our ears perked up. The Napa Valley Cab was the reason we’d come out—apparently he had a few extra barrels looking for a home. We didn’t want to rush him, but we were eager to taste the wine and even more eager to make a deal. Thankfully, he pushed open the door to the cellar and invited us in. 

For the next hour, we walked from barrel to barrel, pulling tastes with a glass thief. The barrels on the auction block were outstanding—so good that our instinct was to ask him if he really wanted to let them go. The result is an outstanding Cab at a fraction of what it should cost. 

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 14.90%
• 1 hour
• Now – 2035
• 80% Cabernet Sauvignon7% Malbec5% Cabernet Franc4% Petit Verdot3% Petite Sirah1% Merlot
• Serving temperature – 60°
• Cork