When on the topic of big, extract Californian wines, many of those wines revolve around Joe Wagner. At the age of 19, we worked with his father in making Caymus wines, the epitome of bold, full-bodied Napa Cabernets. In 2001 as a side gig, Joe created Belle Gloss, a full-bodied vineyard-designated Pinot Noir focusing on Californian’s coastal regions. From there, he created a big, moderately priced Pinot Noir by adding Syrah to the blend, called Meiomi. The wine became an earth-shaking success, and he later sold for $351 million with no vineyards or winery. This gave him the bankroll and freedom to create more amazing wines. Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs from Californian Coast, Boen and Oregon, Elouan. 

With Joe Wagner’s relationships with some of the top grape growers in the valley, he has put together a patchwork of vineyards to assemble a truly amazing wine. Thus, the name of this wine. As seen from above, the Napa Valley vineyards look like a quilt made from decorative patches. Quilt’s inaugural vintage was in 2014. The wine is sourced from the Napa Valley American Viticulture Areas of Oakville, St. Helena, Atlas Peak, Coombsville, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain. While much of the fruit comes from the floor of the Napa Valley to achieve the richness and elegance that is the hallmark Wagner style, they also pull grapes from the side slopes and at low elevations in the more mountainous areas for a blend with more structure and complexity. If you are a fan of Caymus Cabernet, then this is exactly the wine you have come to love at half the price.

The 2020 season started by picking fruit at optimum physiological maturity, lignified seeds and canes, and a slight dimpling of the berries and once in the cellar, we kept wines lots separated by the individual vineyard. The wine went from cold soak to extended maceration for up to 60 days in some cases, and we re-evaluated the progress of each lot before moving the wine to classic Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels (70% new oak), where it underwent malolactic fermentation, and was racked every 4 to 6 months until blending 20 months later. The finish product resulted in a wine of excellent color, tannin and depth, complimented by natural acidity to hold up the structure of the fruit.

For Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, the winemaking process started by picking fruit at precisely the right moment. Often this meant waiting until ripeness--determined both by testing sugar levels as well as by assessing other aspects of phenological readiness--had reached an ideal point. Once in the cellar, we kept lots separated by vineyard. While the wine underwent extended maceration, we re-evaluated the progress of each lot before moving the wine to small French oak barrels (70% new oak, 30% seasoned) where it underwent a secondary fermentation. Our final blend came about after numerous blind tastings. 

A seamless blend of crème de cassis, hazelnut, cocoa, blackberry preserves, charred meat, and blackberry pie along with hints of dark licorice, stewed rhubarb, strawberry, spice and vanillin. Rich and satisfying flavors of dark chocolate, yogurt, molasses, brown sugar and rhubarb notes presented in perfect balance with higher-toned fruit emphasis.

Full bodied and super ripe tasting, this wine shows powerful black cherry, cedar and cinnamon flavors on a firmly tannic texture, but maintains a nice polish in the mouthfeel. Approachable now and best from 2026. Wine Enthusiast 92 pts

Quilt Napa Valley Cabernet 2020

As is many times the case, I learn a lot when tasting wine with our staff. I did not know that Quilt is poured at most of Worcester’s best restaurants because it is perceived as an affordable Caymus. It makes sense, made by Joe Wagner, who worked with his father for years crafting Caymus. If you are familiar with Caymus, then the adjectives used for this wine will sound remarkably familiar. Quilt’s tasting notes look like a restaurant menu. Dark plum in color. Aromas and flavors of baked cherry cobbler, hazelnut, caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla, and tea. Elegant acidity with a long, smooth finish with velvety tannins. If you are a Caymus fan, and lord knows there are a lot of you out there, you must try this wine.

Regular Price: $49.99

*Sale Price is on 3 or more bottles

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

$10 Mail in rebate on 3 bottles

$30 Mail in rebate on 3 bottles

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

Orders must be done by replying to this email. The reason is that I need to keep control of the inventory in one central spot. Emailing or calling your favorite wine geek at one of our four stores may not get your orders in on time to be counted or processed and this creates a helter-skelter for us to get you the wine. For the same reason, ordering on our online Web Store is linked to our regular price, and this sale price is only offered on the email platform. It is also why it takes me some time to respond due to the deluge of orders that I sometimes get. We haven't reached the efficiency or volume of Amazon yet, and in this post-pandemic environment, simple operations sometimes prove difficult. Thank you in advance for your patience.

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