Five years ago, history was made in the Napa Valley: Yountville’s legendary “Ghost Block” vineyard, home to the region’s most treasured, organic, privately-owned Cabernet Sauvignon, was made “public” for the first time since 1903. Except, it was just four rows’ worth, and it went to one person: Sara Beer, and her new Pilcrow label. 

Over three vintages, she has shattered expectations: These micro-produced gems are outperforming many Classified Growths of Bordeaux, pulverizing the majority of Napa Valley cult labels, and delivering one of the most profound Cabernet drinking experiences imaginable. What we’re trying to say is Pilcrow’s ‘Ghost Block’ has earned a cozy spot alongside the world’s greatest reds, and there’s no expiry date in sight. Just six barrels of today’s complex, emphatically pure, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon were produced, and it’s yet another masterpiece that’s bound to stun wine purists and Cabernet enthusiasts alike whether opening now or over the next 15+ years. I’m sure some of you are now googling this 2018 release and coming up with bupkis, other than a lone yet glowing review from Decanter. Why? Because today marks the official release, making you the first to get your hands on it, and among the very few that ever will. Note: The last two vintages have sold out remarkably fast, and we expect nothing less today. 

Pilcrow owners Sara and Jonah Beer define Ghost Block as “a unicorn mountain vineyard that is one-of-a-kind in the Napa Valley.” But Ghost Block lies on Yountville’s valley floor, so how’s this possible? This ancient site was once embedded in the peaks of the Vaca range looming above. Millions of years ago, an earth-shattering seismic event sheared off one of these mountaintops and sent it careening into the valley below, where it subsequently became a “hill” of exposed tertiary volcanic rock. Today’s vines straddle this very terroir. There’s a reason the Hoxsey family cherishes this vineyard so much! 

The vineyard, however, didn’t get its name millions of years ago, although its origins are historic for the Napa Valley. “Ghost Block” takes its name after Napa pioneer, George Yount, who has long been entombed in a nearby cemetery. For the uninitiated, George was the very first to plant vines in the valley back in 1836. Today’s vineyard was planted by the Hoxsey family in 1903, and, as legend has it, is said to be “looked after” by the man who birthed one of the world’s most renowned wine regions. 

Pilcrow’s four rows of organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon was handpicked and sorted in late September of 2018. After fermentation, the resulting wine then aged 22 months in 25% new French oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered—an absolute necessity for this classic style—just months ago.

It should go without saying that this is a very young wine, but even in its youth, there is extreme pleasure and nuanced complexity lurking within each layer. Plus, at 13.7% and light new oak usage, this isn’t a bruiser of a Cab that’s heavily extracted and over-loaded with spice. Instead, it’s all about soul-stirring purity and finesse. This is “old-school” Cabernet Sauvignon that imparts soil character and sinewy structure in the glass, so if you do decide to open one now, please allow a 90-minute decant and bust out your largest Bordeaux stems. You’ll discover an inky purple core with deep ruby crimson hues that spill out intense, breathtaking aromas like black raspberry, cassis, dried black cherry, roasted plums, pencil lead, loose tobacco, cigar box, ash, aniseed, graphite, clove, and damp violets. The palate is nearly full-bodied with surging layers of bright acidity and plush tannins that enhance the energetic core of dark berry fruit, crushed rock, and baking spice. We tracked its evolution over 48 hours and it was an absolute pleasure. Pilcrow’s 2018 “Ghost Block” is the pinnacle of Cabernet, so do your best to lay a few bottles down for as many years as you can—it’ll see 2030 and ‘35 with ease. Cheers!