2019 Accendo Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Accendo by THE Araujo Family. Pedigree doesn't get much higher than this.

“Terrific representations of Napa Valley, revealing the charm, complexity and elegance that the region can deliver when execution is near perfect.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

We were offered very few cases and you’re among the chosen few to see them. THREE 98 point scores puts this near perfection, and we have the best price as usual.

Wine Advocate explains the lineage: “Accendo Cellars is Bart and Daphne Araujo’s new project, following the incredible success and eventual sale of Araujo Estate, now known as Eisele Vineyard, in 2013. They decided to take inspiration from another era in Napa’s rich history—that of the mid-twentieth century, when blending wines from vineyards throughout the valley was the norm. The Araujos explained that Accendo Cellars is about getting back to ‘old style Napa.’ They are aiming to achieve wines of restraint and elegance and have this year selected to work with several vineyards, including Sleeping Lady, Vine Hill Ranch and Ecotone (formerly known as Abreu's Thorevilos vineyard).”

And as Wine Spectator brilliantly adds: “When the Araujos arrived in Napa and purchased Eisele Vineyard in 1990, they were seen as outsiders, with some questioning what might happen to such an iconic vineyard in the hands of new-to-wine owners. During their tenure, the Araujos elevated Eisele Vineyard to new heights. With Accendo, they're paying homage to Napa's past while fashioning a wine in a more modern vein, and they're doing so by letting the wine dictate itself. No one is questioning them now.”

Especially at the very best price you'll find this highly allocated gem anywhere. No one.

Oh, and no 2020 was made, so when this is gone, you’ll need to wait a long time for more...

99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is similarly deep purple-hued and has a killer nose of creme de cassis, spicy wood tobacco leaf, and graphite. It too is rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, with that classic 2019 broad, expansive, sexy mouthfeel to go with plenty of velvety tannins on the finish. It will evolve for at least two decades. Drink 2025-2045.”

98+ Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate “Sourced from six different Napa Valley vineyards and a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Accendo is a dark, cassis-laden effort tinged with violets and black tea. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and tannic, it shows lovely harmony and structure, ample but not overdone concentration and tremendous length and elegance. Drink 2025-2045.”

98 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “Accendo's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is every bit as alluring as it was from barrel. Plush and sensual, with no hard edges, the 2019 possesses magnificent balance from start to finish. Dark-fleshed fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build as this sumptuous, racy Cabernet shows off its tremendous charm. Best of all the 2019 offers quite a bit of immediacy. I would choose to drink it ahead of some of the more structured recent vintages. As always, the Accendo Cabernet is a blend of several top sites in Napa Valley. Drink 2027-2041.”

98 Points – Decanter “Tasted with Bart Araujo at Wheeler Farms, the 'Rolls Royce of custom crush facilities', as described by Accendo winemaker Nigel Kinsman. Bart and wife Daphne established Wheeler Farms after selling their Araujo Estate (now Eisele Vineyard) to the Artemis Group. Grapes are sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, Sleeping Lady in Rutherford, Eco Tone (a former Abreu property), and a site on Diamond Mountain formerly known as Reverie. Generous blackberry fruit aromas are tinged with wild herbs and heady cedar spices. Broad and expansive on the palate with saturated dark fruit, cassis, graphite and wild herbs. Rustic, elongated tannins glide to a savoury finish.”