Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

If ACME had a Billboard Chart for our top-selling wines in any given year, Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon would have gone platinum in 2021. We tasted Derek Beitler’s debut vintage and loved it so much that we placed it in our Under The Radar club last fall. Our clients’ feedback (and reorders) was so positive that even Derek was surprised. We quickly sold him out of his 2018 offering but are happy to report that his latest, equally delicious, vintage has arrived, and we cannot wait to share it with you. And at $55 a bottle, this wine represents one of the greatest values for Cabernet Sauvignon in the Napa Valley.

Derek’s family history is richly steeped in grape growing and winemaking. His uncle, Charlie Wagner, founded Caymus. His brother Kurt Beitler has his own label, Bohème (one of ACME’s favorites year to year!), and his cousins Joey & Charlie Wagner have also made their own names in the wine business. In fact, Derek founded Carne Humana with Joey in 2010 after moving to Napa Valley from Occidental, and before that the University of Oregon in his home state. Carne Humana continues to thrive, going from a small production endeavor to being nationally distributed. Derek still has a passion for smaller, more intimate projects and continues to make Bodega Rancho, Skyhook, and Cerro.

This Cabernet Sauvignon hails from select vineyards in Calistoga, Rutherford, and the Vaca Mountains, where the vines can take full advantage of both the Mediterranean heat and the coastal influence from the San Pablo Bay. This combination leads to fruit with intensity while still maintaining softness and finesse. The bouquet entices with notes of rhubarb pie, red licorice, and rose petals, while the palate follows suit with ripe raspberries and bright currants. Aging in 40% new French oak barrels and a tiny blend of 5% Petit Verdot adds graceful tannins to this juicy, refreshing Cabernet Sauvignon that is bound to be a weeknight staple in any household. Only 220 cases were produced for this second vintage from a winemaker on the up and up.