The Wonderland Project has produced one of the most objectively delicious, authentic, and underpriced Napa Cabernets of the year. Equipped with top vineyard sources and the philosophies of old-school California (clean farming; low intervention; affordability), this boutique label has spent the past decade planning a calculated series of advances, and today’s “No. 9” serves as an emphatic “checkmate” against the premium competition.

This 2020 may be young but there’s no lack of depth, polish, and intensity to each sip. In fact, I recommend and strongly urge you to drink a few of them now after a 30-minute decant. It’s not often I say that about a young Cab, but then again, they don’t often explode out of a Bordeaux stem with lush and classy aromas of ripe black cherry, boysenberry, baked plum, and blackcurrant that are framed by savory tobacco leaf, cigar box, pencil lead, candied violet, espresso, mountain herb, and crushed black rock. Then there’s the palate: Just a hair under full-bodied, it is breathtakingly supple yet firm with layers upon seamless layers of dark fruit and soft minerality. It finishes long with impressive shine and freshness that point towards at least 10 years of positive evolution. Enjoy this stupendous value!