2016 Ideology Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Oak Knoll District Napa Valley 750 ml

“Please tell us you’ve got some of this left.” 

That’s what we said to Ideology proprietor Bob Williamson as we sat with him in his barrel room last summer. Having already struck a handshake deal to take the remaining inventory of his cellar, we’d assembled to assess the goods. The table in front of us was strewn with stemware and shiners. The wine in our glass was the 2016 Reserve Cabernet.

Wine Spectator called Ideology Cellars a “hidden gem in Napa Valley,” and if you recall, the 2016 Napa Valley vintage came straight from Heaven. The last drought year in a five-season streak, it was marked by remarkably steady temperatures and long hang times—and resulted in some of the greatest Cabernet that any of us have ever tasted. 

“Not quite 30 cases left,” Bob hollered back as we polished off our glasses. We won’t say it would’ve been a deal-breaker if there was none of the ‘16 left—but we’re certainly glad to share this impeccable vintage of his flagship wine with our members. 

Located just south of the famed Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, where alluvial soils provide ideal conditions for dense and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, Ideology produces limited releases that have been praised as “top-notch Napa Cabernet” and “high-class” by Robert Parker. 

We’ve had a fruitful friendship with Bob for several years now. When he let us know that retirement was on the horizon, we let him know in no uncertain terms that we (and our members) would be honored to have first shot at his inventory. That’s how we scored today’s phenomenal 2016. They’re not making any more of this beauty!