Odds are, you’ve never heard of Bonneau—neither had I. Before my tasting we all assumed it was a French producer, so when a Rutherford Cabernet landed on our table, we were bemused, sure, but certainly intrigued. After tasting, we were wildly impressed across the board—to the extent of calling the owner and asking for another bottle (better safe than sorry).
Turns out, there was a connection to France: his family moved from Bordeaux at the turn of the 20th century and today’s bottle from Rutherford, ironically enough, also draws French parallels. Per Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson: “To explain Rutherford to a visitor schooled in French wine, you might describe it as the Pauillac of California. This is Cabernet country par excellence.” And with that in mind, Bonneau’s wine is up there with the best: it’s incredibly dense, fresh, and layered with dark fruits, all of which exists in a profusion of well-integrated baking spices. I would argue this is prime Rutherford Cabernet at its most affordable; finding another similarly-priced bottle performing at a level this high would be a tough assignment. Which makes sense upon realizing this wine, outside of today, typically carries an $85 price tag. Plain and simple, this is one of the best New World deals we’ve ever offered. Most of you love Napa Cabernet, value, and affordability—terms that struggle to coexist peacefully—and today you can have all three. I guarantee you’ll drink this wine often, which is why I bought the lot and can offer a case per customer today. This is the Napa deal of a lifetime—take advantage of it!