2017 Ideology Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Cento Oak Knoll District Napa Valley 750 ml

“How do we take it to the next level?”

Bob Williamson was happy—but still hungry. For years, the Napa Cabernets he and his winemaker Leigh Meyering were making from his Napa Valley estate were doing well—95 and 96-point scores from Parker, and Wine Spectator called Ideology a “hidden gem in Napa Valley.” But he was in the mood to make a blockbuster that would turn heads at Premiere Napa Valley, the wine industry’s most prestigious showcase. 

Meyering—an alum of Bordeaux, Sonoma County, and Napa’s Spring Mountain Vineyard—knew exactly what Bob was talking about. So when they harvested their 2017 crop, they made sure to note the ripest fruit from the best blocks—the formula for many a $500+ PNV wine. They put the plush Cabernet grapes through an extended maceration, and they aged the wine in 100% new French oak. 

The result is the 2017 Cento, which was made in a mere five-barrel quantity. Only 100 cases were made (hence the name), with one of the barrels supplying Ideology’s 2019 PNV lot, which sold for $12,500—for just five cases of wine. 

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 have our friend George to thank for introducing us to Ideology Cellars. It was one of those picture-perfect early summer nights, with thick steaks crackling on the grill and laughter floating on the breeze. There were a lot of incredible, big-name Napa Cabs open already—but the bottle of Ideology that George popped open made us forget about everything else on the table.