2019 Cervantes - Red Blend Napa Blacktail (750ml)

Cervantes Family Vineyards farms a remote hillside estate in Pope Valley, tucked into the Vaca Mountains east of Napa's main valley floor. The project pairs the Cervantes family with winemaker Andy Erickson, whose résumé includes stints at Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and Dalla Valle, alongside Jessica Tarpy. Their signature bottling, Blacktail, showcases this remote terroir through an evolving proprietary blend crafted anew each vintage.

The 2019 Blacktail draws on six grape varieties across the ranch's diverse plots, finished as 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. Ample winter rain, no frost or heat spikes, and even flowering brought fruit to ripen through a classic Napa season. Each lot was fermented and aged separately, then blended and matured in barrel to preserve structure and freshness ahead of bottling.

Deep garnet purple in the glass, the wine opens with licorice, baking spice, and sandalwood over a core of black cherry, cassis, and baked blueberry, with hints of gravel and cast iron minerality. Firm, fine-grained tannins give it a structured backbone, though a juicy core keeps it approachable young, with real potential to age. Serve alongside grilled lamb chops, aged cheddar, or a hearty beef stew.