2017 Playground Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley 750 ml

There’s a neighborhood of vineyards in western Saint Helena akin to the Hollywood Hills of Napa viticulture. Cabernets from this “who’s who” area, including those from all-stars such as Beringer and Spottswoode, effortlessly evolve into plush, fruit-driven perfection. 

When we first tasted the 2017 Playground Cellars Cabernet, its generous mouthfeel, supple tannins, and layers of dark plum shined with this iconic terroir and let us know we were sipping with the Big Dogs. Yet winemaker Joe White’s Cabernet, while made with fruit that usually produces $100+ Napa Cabs, comes at half the price.

Last year’s 2016 vintage was a sold-out success, which positioned us to secure early access to the new release at 50% off. It’s rare when we see a deal this sweet from Saint Helena—an authentic garagiste winery in the heart of Napa with grapes from top-tier vineyards that are notoriously hard to access. 

“I’m not locked into a contract with anyone, so every year I have a new opportunity to snag some great fruit…which makes it more exciting for us,” Joe explained when we caught up recently over glasses of this ruby-hued Cab. The 2017 fruit hails from Anomaly Vineyards’ organic vineyard in the highly pedigreed western St. Helena neighborhood, making this release arguably Joe’s most prestigious to date. 

According to Wine Enthusiast, “Anomaly is a coveted spot...gravelly-grown grapes able to impart grace and structure.” The rocky hillside plantings struggle on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, resulting in tiny berries loaded with flavor and tannin. Grown a stone’s throw from the legendary Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, the wines from Anomaly Vineyards are normally $120 per bottle, but today you can experience these premier-quality grapes for $40.

Husband and wife team Joe White and Suzanne Berkely spent years honing their craft as California winemakers before launching Playground Cellars. As assistant winemaker at Brown Estate, Joe leads the lauded Napa Valley winery into 90+ scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator year after year. The couple’s connections allow them to score top-notch fruit and rock-bottom prices, giving them the freedom to do what they want, making the label a true playground: “We want to share the wine, we want people to enjoy what we’ve found.”

Last year’s releases scored a stand-out 4.29 stars with Wine Access members, and this dark, expressive Cabernet has all the makings of a perennial favorite.