2018 Pompier Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

When we talk about legendary Napa winemakers, very few have crafted 96+ point wines on multiple continents. And very few spent over a decade cementing their legacy by steering one of the Valley’s iconic houses to modern-day glory and fame. The 2018 Pompier Cabernet was made by a member of both elite clubs, though we’re sworn (well, legally prohibited) from mentioning who it is.

To create a perfect embodiment of Cabernet’s cradle, Pompier’s winemaker turns to his stellar network of vineyards—one he started building during his time at one of Napa Valley’s most storied and historic names. 

This wine has a mixture of grapes from nearly all his favorite sites, including one of the oldest vineyards in Stags Leap, one of the best known in Carneros, and a mid-Valley location that he won’t reveal even to us. Twenty months in 30% new French oak polished the wine perfectly. Now all that’s left to do is get a case in your cellar—then drink it with abandon.

The 2018 Pompier is impenetrably purple in the glass, the deep color portending the bold, dark-fruited nose to come. Aromas of blackberries, blueberry confit, and cherry cobbler mingle with mocha and dried thyme. Beautifully smooth on the palate, it’s got tremendous opulence and a long, toasty finish. 

If that sounds like a checklist for beautifully modern Cabernet from one of Napa Valley’s greatest vintages... well, that’s what we thought too. We love this bottle with a quick splash decant, and it’s got an easygoing personality: It’s comfortable donning a suit and pairing with wagyu or dressing down for a Tuesday meatloaf. Any way you enjoy it, this is a tremendous bottle of Cabernet.