2018 Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

“You can taste, but you can’t touch.” 

Our friend Mike laughed as he poured, flipping his head toward two pallets—112 cases total—of the vivid purple, black-fruited 2018 Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon for us. “This is the Napa Cab that’s gonna send tourists and locals scrambling to get a bottle.”

We swirled our glasses, and after taking a first sip and an irresistible second, we agreed. With a bold and powerful blackberry and black cherry attack, touches of cocoa and spice, and tannins as fine and tightly woven as Four Seasons sheets, Recoltant is the kind of Cabernet that will send wine lovers on a mission to find more. 

Safe to say we wanted to claim the whole lot for Wine Access members. But Mike had a handshake deal to place this impeccably sourced Cabernet at two spots, a bustling downtown Napa bistro and an iconic up-valley steakhouse. $22 and $24 per glass. 

But that was six months ago. Today, every single bottle is earmarked for Wine Access members. Crafted by the 99-point master behind Wine Access favorites Purlieu and Le Pich, you can claim a bottle for less than two glasses at the restaurants that jumped at the chance to pour it. With its price and pedigree, Recoltant is exactly what Mike said it was: A deal that will send Cabernet lovers scrambling. 

Mike’s a maestro at orchestrating stellar wine deals, and Recoltant is one of his masterworks. Together with 99-point winemaker Julien Fayard, Recoltant came together with pristine grapes from world-class vineyard sources including To Kalon, Georges III, Teucer, and Sugarloaf Vineyards—and they scored by-the-glass placements at two of the Valley’s most renowned spots. Indeed, just about everything about Recoltant was about to click into place when Napa Valley went on hold.

So when we tasted with Mike a few weeks ago and noticed the gold mine of Recoltant untouched, we didn’t hesitate to move. We told him we’d take it all, and have Wine Access members popping bottles in no time. He looked at the 100+ cases, then back at us. We could see the wheels turning. Finally, he nodded. “I know your members will love this,” he said. “And if any Napa Cabernet deserves to be enjoyed right now, it’s this one.” 

Enjoyment is what this delivers in spades: Purple in the glass, the aromas arrive in glorious waves, with aromas of black currant confiture, Sicilian chocolate, seductively ripe black cherries, with wild bay, violets, and hints of garam masala. Strikingly rich yet elegant, silky tannins coat the palate with plenty of loganberry and more of the black cherry, leading into a 40-second finish that resolves in mocha and baking spices.

This wine was never meant for anyone but Napa Valley locals and visitors who bellied up to the bar or table at two of the Valley’s most bustling spots. Now it’s for Wine Access members and the friends and family lucky enough to share in it. Pack plenty away, and share wisely.