Illustrious Red Blend 2019

As the name implies, our Illustrious range is truly special. It brings you exceptional quality wines from the Napa Valley’s most celebrated districts. According to our California wine expert, Kristina Spencer, this luxurious red might just be the best release yet.

Illustrious Reserve hails from the prized slopes of the Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder AVA. Serious wine enthusiasts may recognize this iconic region as the home of famous Mayacamas Vineyards, whose red wines can easily demand $150+ per bottle. What makes this area such a prime spot for winemaking? Honestly, just about everything...

Vineyards on Mount Veeder’s rugged hillsides are planted at up to 2,500 feet above sea level. The high altitude and steep, southwestern aspect of the slopes provide ample sunshine for grapes to ripen. Warm days and moderate nighttime temperatures make for a long growing season, giving grapes plenty of time to develop, while the cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay helps retain freshness. Finally, the rocky, clay-rich soils force vines to bury their roots deep for water and nutrients, which results in lower yields of highly concentrated grapes.

All these factors make for a complex and elegant wine. A beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (the great grape of France's famous Bordeaux region) and Syrah (of Rhône Valley fame), Illustrious Reserve offers stunning aromas of blueberry, dark cherry, bramble berry, clove and violet floral notes. Dense mountain fruit flavors coat the palate, underpinned by hints of black pepper and vanilla. Perfectly suited for a fine meal, it’ll pair well with anything from steak to salmon, cheese to risotto.

We have only 900 cases of this luxurious Reserve to share with our thousands of Napa wine fans. First come, first served.