Notes from the Archivist

"Archivist"

Oh man, it’s SO on! 

This is our masterstroke. A Magnum Opus.

We’ve been working toward this for some time, and finally, it’s time to unveil the first of what we hope will be an annual benchmark – the ARCHIVIST!

Among dozens of singular releases each year, only one from each vintage will bear the Archivist name. This is the first.

For the inaugural 2024 release, Bobby selected three of our favorite sources to blend into one blockbuster Cabernet. 

Two of the sources will remain nameless. But they come from two of the best-kept secrets in Napa. And the third starring role comes from a pair of incredible Caldwell barrels we landed. At first, Marc Gagnon hesitated when he suggested trying these – but said “well…they’re expensive, but you should really try them”.

You ever try crack? Me neither but I imagine it’s similar to when you get that first hit from one of these Caldwell lots. You can’t forget what just flooded your senses, and you spend a long time thinking about it after. Probably.

So Bobby went full mad scientist, hunkered down in the lab for days, and then called me with the news: “I did it”. Like Victor Frankenstein emerging with his “creature”, he brought something spectacular to light. Superlatives aside, this is the real deal. Compared to the previous release, this has a bit more backbone, slightly finer grained tannins and more structured feel to it. But still, I am floored at how well this drinks upon popping and pouring. Both this and the recent “Obsidian” release are absolutely DEALING. There’s a lot happening here; red currant, crushed raspberry and cassis. Plus heaps of cinnamon and toasty spices, and a salivating acidity that keeps it all rolling along. 

Any other producer would call this their reserve bottling, jack it up to $175 and call it a day. But we don’t play that game. Just 100 cases…when it’s gone, it’s gone.

 

Winemaker Addendum

bottled June 2026