2022 Castellucci Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Vivace Lira Vineyard Oakville 750 ml

Oakville is the glamorous star at the heart of Napa—the Valley’s Savile Row. It’s usually gonna cost you at least $200 to get prime Oakville Cab, and names like Harlan, Screaming Eagle, and Opus One push its upper bound into the stratosphere. Thanks to our long relationship with Castellucci Estate, we got their 2022 Vivace Lira Vineyard Cab, grown on a tiny vineyard off Oakville’s famed (and aptly named) Money Road, not far from Opus.

Shaped by world-class winemaker Jac Cole—an author of legendary, long-lived wines at Spring Mountain Vineyards and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars—finished and blended by Atelier Melka’s 100-point team, it’s an absolute knockout. Sure, you might technically be able to find less-expensive Oakville Cabernet out there, but not for anything near Castellucci’s league. We have exclusive access, so don’t miss it.

Founded by Italian immigrant and property magnate Antonio Castellucci—a true American success story—the Castellucci family has owned and farmed land in Napa Valley for over two decades. They own 50 acres spread over prime sites in the Spring Mountain, Carneros, Rutherford, and St. Helena AVAs. But the Vivace Lira Vineyard, on Money Road in Oakville, is their crown jewel.

The aptly named Money Road slices through the tenderloin of Napa’s prestigious Oakville AVA, and the vineyards on Money Road’s east side rub shoulders with the Groth Reserve Block that produced California's first 100-point wine. The area is also home to vineyards held by the likes of Swanson, Saddleback, and Laird. 

We’re talking ground zero for classic Oakville Cabernet, and the tiny, 6.5 acre Vivace Lira Vineyard is right in the heart of it all. The vineyard is managed by Antonio’s son Marco and his team, who give it undivided attention year-round—and this Cab comes from the best portion of the site, Blocks E and F. The 2022 season featured hot and dry—perfect for pushing the boldness of fruit and richness of the finished wines—and Jac Cole picked grapes at the perfect ripeness. The result is a special Cab that will age gracefully for two more decades.