Friday Fill-Up - April 1st, 2022

Dear Friends,

This is not an April Fools joke.

I know it reads like one—but this Cab completely blew me away.

Understand that I'm slightly jaded and not impressed with much in this category. I came at this wine in full snob mode, with the lowest expectations, and ready to tear it apart.

I was utterly confounded.

It's the best sub-$20 tasted in years.

Quick background story:
Jean-Claude Berrouet became the first permanent winemaker at Chateau Pétrus when he was in his early 20's, recruited by Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1964. He oversaw 44 vintages there.

Berrouet was also called into to help launch the Moueix family’s Californian venture, Dominus, in 1982, helping to produce its first vintage in 1983.

He retired from Château Petrus nearly 10 years ago. Perhaps Berrouet retired too young, as he has since become a global wine consultant.

This, is one of his clients:
He's been onboard with tapiz since 2011.

Here's why this is no fluke or hype:
Many vintages of Petrus under Berrouet are among the world's most revered and most expensive wines.

He is known for making wines of subtlety and nuance that are considered the counterpoint of Michel Rolland.

Vinous says this wine's drinking window is now through 2034. I agree. You definitely don't see that often for sub-$20 wine.

I loved this find so much that I bought in bulk to negotiate the price down.

That's the 'why' for the tiered quantity prices.

Every lover of fine wine, whether Bordeaux, Napa, Sonoma, Washington or elsewhere, will want 3-cases. No room? Split with a friend!

These are very bold claims and I confidently stand behind them. If you don't agree with me, I'll buy your bottles back and drink them for you.

Come by today 4 to 8pm—I'll pour you a taste.

Thank you friends, cheers!

All my best,
—James Tran
2019 Tapiz Alta Collection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Uco Valley - San Pablo Vineyard
Mendoza, Argentina

94 Points, Rank #37 - Top 100 of 2021, James Suckling:
"Aromas of blueberry, ripe blackberry, graphite, cocoa and roasted coffee. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins, framing a core of cool blue and black fruit. Polished and intense with a long finish. Try from 2023." (2/3/22)

91 Points - Vinous:
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Alta Collection Single Vineyard from San Pablo, Uco Valley is a rich garnet in the glass and presents a nose of thyme and ripe aromas against a woody backdrop. The otherwise relaxed palate has a few active tannins that channel the flow supported by precise, fairly juicy freshness before the fragrant finish. Drinking window: 2021 - 2034." -Joaquín Hidalgo (November 2021)
  • Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
  • Aging: 10 months in new and used French oak (90%) & American oak (10%)
  • Production: 4,400 cases made
  • Alcohol: 13.9%
  • Drink Window: Now-2034

  • 28 cases arrive this afternoon

Lowest NorCal: $20.00 btl
Our Sale:

  • $19.97 btl (1-5)
  • $18.97 btl (6-11)
  • $17.97 btl (12-23)
  • $15.97 btl (24-35)
  • $14.97 btl (36+)
More wines from Argentina we highly-recommend:
2018 Clos de los Siete Uco Valley Red
Mendoza, Argentina

94 Points, Rank #27 - Top 100 of 2021, James Suckling:
"Ripe plum, black cherry, lavender and cocoa on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and rounded with a plush, deep core of dark fruit. Lingering crushed-hazelnut notes on a long, concentrated finish. Drink or hold."

92 Points, Editor's Choice - Wine Enthusiast:
"Clos de los Siete almost never fails, and this version from a ripe and easy vintage is just that: ripe and easy. Inky blackberry and black cur-rant aromas show a waft of campfire creosote, while this feels big and round, with plenty of mouth-blackening fruit. Oak-aided blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors come with a hint of herbs, while the finish is smooth and mild."

91+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"I think the 2018 Clos de Los Siete is the finest vintage of this blend that I've tasted so far. It has good ripeness (14.5%), juicy but fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and fine tannins. Instant gratification at a great price."

91 Points - Vinous:
"The assemblage here is made by Michel Rolland and his team, 70% of which is aged in up to 1/3 use French barrels. Dense, dark violet in color. The nose is complex in the Bordelais style, presenting aromas of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of blueberry, oak and herbs. The 2018 is free-flowing on the palate with good energy and volume. It's mild tannins still have enough energy to lend shape and intense flavor. An interesting, potent wine. Drink in two years. Drinking window: 2023 - 2030."

90 Points, Rank #53 - Top 100 of 2021, Wine Spectator:
“Dense and powerful, with plenty of loamy notes to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors that show creamy accents. Ends with dark chocolate on the finish. Drink now through 2024.” - KM

  • Blend: 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cab Sauv, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc
  • Aging: 11 months in new and used French oak
  • Unfined, unfiltered
  • Alcohol: 14.5%

  • 55 bottles left

Average Online: $20.00 btl
Most Others: $20.00 btl
Our Sale:

  • $18.97 btl (1-5)
  • $17.97 btl (6-11)
  • $16.97 btl (12+)
2015 Catena Zapata "Alta" Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Quite an exotic nose with a hint of passion fruit alongside the more familiar cassis, red bell pepper and chocolate notes. Rich with plush tannins and a healthy acidity. An impressive cabernet that’s also easy to enjoy. Drink or hold." (5 Apr, 2018)

92 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"As always, the 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of different plots in order to achieve greater complexity. It usually comes from the La Pirámide, Domingo and Nicasia vineyards, with approximately 50% of the grapes from Luján and the other half from Valle de Uco. It contains some 5% Cabernet Franc. It fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels and aged in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It's super varietal, with powerful herbal and spicy aromatics, serious and without a trace of heat. It has an elegant and fresh palate with bright, vibrant flavors and great length. I consider this a real triumph, as 2015 was very challenging for Cabernet, especially in Luján, where they avoided harvesting earlier." - Luis Gutiérrez (29th Jun 2018)

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"While I wasn’t able to taste the 2016, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta Historic Rows showed beautifully, with plenty of cassis and black cherry fruits, notes of leafy herbs, damp earth, and cedar, medium to full body, and silky, polished tannins. I love its balance and purity, and while it’s certainly delicious today, I suspect it will cruise for 10-15 years on its balance and overall harmony." (2/25/2019)

92 Points - Vinous:
"Bright medium ruby. In-your-face Cabernet aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco leaf and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and subtly penetrating, with a thickness of texture leavened by perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with terrific building length and serious but harmonious tannins that spread out to saturate the front teeth. At once subtle and stuffed with material, this Cabernet boasts a lovely balance of sweet fruit, acidity and tannins." - Stephen Tanzer (Jul 2018)

  • Cases Produced: 525
  • Alcohol: 14.8%
  • Lowest price in the country
  • 18 bottles left

Release Price: $50.00 btl
Average Online: $45.00 btl
Our Sale:

  • $34.99 btl (1-5)
  • $29.99 btl (6+)
Ways to reach us: