Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

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 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 Françoise 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 2018 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet marks their 19th vintage and it still 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 for the Araujo Eisele) in the winery. Peschon was also honored with the prestigious title of WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR in 2019 by the San Francisco Chronicle. Françoise 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). 

92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc coming from Turnbull's Blossom Creek Vineyard in Calistoga, the Moulds Family Vineyard in Oak Knoll, and the Criscione Vineyard in Saint Helena. The grapes were hand-picked and sorted at the winery before fermentation in small tanks and aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 22 months. The 2018 Drinkward Peschon is remarkably expressive. Aromas of black cherry, ripe plums and cassis with savory herbs and fresh leather lead into a generous palate, layered with blue and black fruit, spicy sassafras, and sandalwood. This wine is beautifully structured with refreshing acidity, fine-grained tannins and a juicy finish, reflecting the vibrance and energy of the 2018 vintage in its purest form.