We love a challenge. For years we’ve found the secret sources of inexpensive yet extraordinary wines from Burgundy to Barolo, yet many of our long-time customers told us that just wasn’t enough. “What about California?” they’d ask. “Your own backyard? What’s your inside scoop for serious Cabernet?”

Let’s first consider the word “serious.”  Sure there’s plenty of Cabernet to be had in the Golden State (we’re looking at you, Lodi) but very little of that could be considered serious wines made for the cellar. For a bottle that could compete with some of the top names in Napa we went straight to the source—to the Napa Valley, to see what could be found. Needless to say, we struck gold in 2007.

We probably should explain a little bit about Mesa and what you can expect from this, our very own private label for domestic wines. Having our own label lets us go straight to the source—to winemakers with a little extra wine that they're not able to release under their own brand, but do want to share with the wider world.  

Cutting out the extra costs of branding and distribution means savings for you—but do know that there is no compromise, in any form, in the quality of the wine that we choose.  We are as selective and demanding (some might call it being a pain-in-the-rear) as we always are with our selections from France or Italy.

And Mesa is our premium label—what’s in this bottle is always top quality and cellar-worthy, and certainly on par with leading wine names in Napa or Sonoma, if not at times better!

We are beyond proud of this luscious, concentrated yet balanced 2007. This was a glorious year for California Cab, a vintage that gave body and oomph with still perfect balance—the sensual, floral side of St. Helena comes through with an extra layer of luscious fruit and earthy spice. The balance again I so poised and perfect that we’ve socked a case away in our own cellars to watch it evolve over the next five to 10 years—and at this price? You would be well-advised to do the same.

Friday, August 05, 2011