NDA-shielded Cabernet from the home of $250 bottle

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2023 Halpin Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga Napa Valley 750 ml

Limited Time Offer
$22 1-11 bottles
$209% off 12+ bottles

Shipping included on orders $150+.
  • Curated by unrivaled experts
  • Choose your delivery date
  • Temperature controlled shipping options
  • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

Halpin’s always had been enamored with Napa Valley icons—and he scored this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the most legendary names ever to tend vines in Calistoga. Their wines go for about $250, but Halpin snagged a few barrels at a fraction of that. Packed with aromas of dark red fruits, generous yet refined on the palate, framed with velvety tannins, it’s the kind of NDA Napa Cab deal that keeps Halpin in our iPhone Favorites—and keeps his wines atop our member-ratings.

“The party was in St. Helena,” Halpin declared, sipping his second cup of coffee and digging the side of his fork into a stack of pancakes that could soundproof a recording studio. “But the main event took place in Calistoga.” 

Halpin’s in this state half the time we see him—still dressed in last evening’s attire, in fine spirits but a bit groggy (ahem), enthusiastically recounting the night before.

He turned his attention to the cuff of his shirt. “Château Montelena, right there,” he said, pointing to a few brick-red flecks. “1997. Bit of an overeager swirl.” His finger found his lapel, the other cuff, even his collar. “Larkmead, Diamond Creek, ‘90 Dominus. A good night, it was.”

“Everything was on the table last night—and everyone was there. I’d tell you who, but it was winemakers of the highest order. Major-leaguers. Big-timers. Blue-chippers, A-listers. The Mt. Rushmore of—”

“Halpin, we got it.” 

He went on. “And just about every bottle there was iconic, instantly recognizable. Except one, presented by the patriarch of one of the most famous properties in Calistoga. He had an unlabeled bottle—the shiniest of shiners, one might say, if one were given to clever wordplay.” 

“Turns out the 2023 vintage—which was as fine as any Napa vintage in living memory—provided them with a little more wine than usual. And that bounty went into eight barrels, and those barrels went into shiners, and one of those shiners…” 

Our interest was piqued. “OK. Let’s taste it,” we said.

“Oh, I didn’t bring it…I’ll bring it by this afternoon.” 

And when Halpin finally showed up…well, it was worth the wait. The source winery is now charging upwards of $250 for their Cabernets from top sites like this one. But thanks to Halpin, we’ve got it for Wine Access members for a mere fraction of that. Was it worth the drive up to St. Helena and the price of breakfast? 

Halpin always makes it worth it.