Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 MAGNUM

What's better than the wine in Napa? The food? The landscape? The sunsets? As magnificent as all these are, it is the magnetic people that make this valley so incredibly extraordinary. For a place that some know as being a valley peppered with castles and limos, those of us that live here, and many of you that have visited, know this place for inhabiting some of the most warm, friendly, down to earth people on the planet. You might even say this valley sometimes feels like one big hug. On the top of the list bringing the warmth and charm to this valley, and two of my favorite women around, are winemakers Lisa Drinkward and Francois Peschon. Their presence exudes authenticity, sincerity, beauty, and wisdom. They are two of the kindest and most joyful people one could meet, and lucky for us, we not only get to call them friends and neighbors, but we also get to be grateful merchants of their project together. The 2016 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet marks their 17th vintage and it remains one of our most beloved wines here at ACME. Beyond their good-spirited nature comes unparalleled talent with Drinkward in the vineyard (vineyard manager & co-owner of Behrens Family Winery) and Peschon (Consulting Winemaker at Accendo, Vine Hill Ranch, Cornell, and former long-time winemaker at Araujo) in the winery. Francoise and Lisa met here in St. Helena at their children's ballet class, and bonded over their love for beautiful, appropriately-priced, eminently drinkable wines. In 2000 they launched a collaborative project labeled 'Entre Deux Mères', French for "between two mothers" (also a tongue in cheek reference to the wine growing region in Bordeaux, Entre Deux Mers). 97% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Petit Verdot coming from Turnbull's Blossom Creek Vineyard in Calistoga, the Moulds Family Vineyard in the Oak Knoll, and the Criscione Vineyard in Saint Helena. The 2016 vintage was graced with nearly perfect growing conditions. Spring rain and foggy mornings turned to warm afternoons giving perfectly ripe fruit with fully developed flavors and fleshy tannins, while still retaining natural acidity. With a deep, saturated ruby color, the wine is brimming with lively dark cherries, plum, and black fruit flavors with hints of Asian spices, sandalwood, anise, and dried sage. The mouthfeel is succulent and rich with firm yet elegant tannins and an enlivening acidity that gives balance through the lingering finish. A beautifully soulful wine made from these two talented and wonderfully precious women.