When I tell people modern-styled Napa Cabernet can still provide one of the greatest pleasures on earth, I’m talking about Cabernets that have imposing structure but luxurious polish. Wines loaded with intoxicating aromas of cassis and plum but also profound minerality and alluring spice. Wines exactly like Tether’s 2019 release. Something magical has happened here, as if they’ve mastered the rare art of opulence, complexity, and balance. The jaw-dropping result is a powerful red of distinction, a vinous siren call for cult Napa Cab collectors seeking entry-level pricing—and it’s entirely by design. 

Other than bruising your statements with $300-$900 price tags and dominating Napa’s highest tier, labels like Realm, Scarecrow, Maybach, and Ovid have something else in common: They’re all represented by one person, Kimberly Jones, and her deep ties throughout the valley have unlocked access to a vast array of Napa’s most expensive vineyards and elite winemaking talents. Without them, today’s private label would cease to exist. To forge today’s incredible Cabernet, she heavily relies on all her “culty” partnerships, and although she must remain tight-lipped about specific fruit sources, it’s rumored that some of the grapes destined for Napa’s premium labels might be slipping into this humbly priced bottling! I’ve been hooked on this buzzworthy label for several years now, and placing today’s 2019 next to a juicy, medium-rare porterhouse will make you a Tether believer for life as well. Enjoy up to 12 bottles.

Kimberly’s first vintage of Tether (2013) was made by esteemed winemaker Benoit Touquette, and their small 168-case bottling sold out instantly. For all subsequent vintages, Kimberly has relied on the superb talents of Anna Monticelli. After earning her degree at UC Davis and studying across Europe, Anna worked her first harvest at Bordeaux’s famous Château Cheval Blanc. She has served as assistant winemaker for Seavey Vineyard as well as Bryant Family Vineyard and is currently the winemaker at Piña in the Napa Valley. With her sharpened skill and Kimberly’s connections, the pair have created $55 magic. 

 
Tether’s 2019 release leads with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and is rounded out with the other famed varieties of Bordeaux: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Although the sources are top-secret, we can tell you the majority of utilized fruit came from the prestigious sub-appellations of Atlas Peak and Spring Mountain. The grapes are all from sustainably farmed vineyards. In the winery, the grapes ferment varietally separate before blending and aging in 60% new French barrels. 

The result is an enchanting Napa red with richness, serious structure, and verve. It fills a Bordeaux stem with an opaque purple-crimson core and clings to the glass with substantial viscosity. The fruit aromas are intense, heady, and pleasantly intoxicating with crème de cassis, fresh violet, black raspberry, Damson plum, black cherry liqueur leading the charge. However, a formidable layer of crushed graphite, lead, baking spice, cigar wrapper, licorice, and tobacco leaf lends serious harmony and depth to both the nose and powerful, full-bodied palate. This is no sappy, overripe Napa Cabernet. There is formidable, brooding structure here with perfect levels of opulent berry fruit, black-stone minerality, and herbal savoriness. It’s modern Cabernet perfection to be enjoyed now (with a healthy decant) and over the next decade.