D.R. Stephens DR II Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

D.R. Stephens has been an insider’s secret winery in Napa for nearly 30 years. We lost our minds when we got to taste this…that we get to share with you for $35 is like something from a dream! At 50% off epic Napa cabernet...you don’t want to miss this!

Tucked far off the main roads of Napa, nestled in the eastern foothills just below Howell Mountain, this long-time family-run vineyard has been stomping grounds for some of Napa’s brightest stars. Planted in 1996, the winery’s founding winemaker, Celia Welch (Scarecrow and countless others), handed the reins over to Mike Hirby (Realm, Behrens & Hitchcock, Relic) back in 2010. Similarly, vineyard manager extraordinaire Mike Wolf (Harlan, Bond, and more) set up the vineyards before turning the keys over to the Piña Family (who specialize in hillside vineyards on Napa’s Vaca Range just like this). All things are in place for this surreal value of vinous pleasure to just leave you floored with shock and delight.

This is your classic Napa cabernet sauvignon – sexy, plush and velvety with ripe blackberry notes and warm spiced plum overtones. Secondary notes of tobacco, coffee beans, and cocoa powder showcase spectacular finesse, and the finish just pulls you in, wraps you up, and never lets go. This is a steal, even at full retail. At a mere half of that…what more could you possibly want in a Napa cabernet?

Donald R. Stephens founded the winery in the mid-90s, and today it is managed and co-owned by Don’s son, Justin, who took over the day-to-day operation in 2005. Justin is the wine industry version of a Swiss Army knife – with extensive experience in production, sales, operations, and management at several well-known Napa Valley wineries prior to taking over the family flagship. The estate benefits from the eroding top soils of Howell Mountain, with a pronounced cooling element provided by Lake Hennessey and nearby tributaries of the Napa river. With a portfolio of wines all built in the classic “iron fist in a velvet glove” model, this is a powerful and elegant wine worthy of any wine lover’s collection. 50% OFF?!?! While it lasts!