Non-vintage Napa Cabernet? That’s usually a unicorn sighting between Rutherford and St. Helena. Yet Boomslang Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Thurlow Cellars just proved the point: blend smart across strong years, bring in a respected winemaker, and you can turn heads—Decanter’s 94 points kind of heads. The Reverse Wine Snob Insider Deal is already sold out, but the story here is bigger than a one-and-done score.
Why This Matters
Behind every great bottle is a story, and this one matters. It reflects broader trends shaping how wine is made, sold, and enjoyed. Stay curious—your palate will thank you.
Let’s start with the basics. Boomslang is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, blended across 2019 to 2022. It’s crafted by Kevin Morrisey (Ehlers Estate, Stags Leap, and a stint at Petrus), pulled from a small, family-owned vineyard with 35-year-old vines. Production? Tiny—“Only 12 barrels were blended.” (Reverse Wine Snob)
Key Takeaways
- Key themes: Napa Valley Cabernet, Thurlow Cellars, Multi-vintage wine—stay informed on these evolving trends.
- The takeaway? Keep exploring, keep tasting, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Style snapshot: Napa Cabernet, dialed for drinkability
- Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region: Napa Valley (California)
- Profile: Dry, full-bodied, structured yet smooth
- ABV: 14.3% (per winery notes in article)
Reverse Wine Snob describes an inviting nose of dark berries and licorice with vanilla and cedar, plus a palate that’s rich and balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and gentle spice. Their take sums up the appeal: “This is VERY easy to drink.” (Reverse Wine Snob)
That checks out with what we know of Napa Cabernet: ripe fruit, confident tannins, and oak framing that, when done well, polishes rather than masks. The twist here is the multi-vintage approach—less common for still Napa Cab—used to fine-tune balance, texture, and consistency. Think Champagne’s NV strategy, translated into Cabernet logic: you get flexibility to smooth out vintage edges while amplifying house style.
Why a multi-vintage Napa Cab matters
Most Napa Cab buyers chase vintage narratives—heat spikes, early harvests, mountain vs. benchland. A non-vintage label can spook collectors who like a single-year story. But when the source fruit is legit (older vines, low yields, rocky soils) and the hand on the wheel is experienced, blending across seasons can create a wine that drinks earlier and more seamlessly—without giving up structure.
The winery’s emphasis on elevated sites (1,500+ feet) translates in practice to cooler nights, better acid retention, and slower, even ripening—traits that typically yield precision and length. Combine that with older vine concentration and you get the kind of “smooth but not soft” profile Reverse Wine Snob is praising. Decanter’s 94-point nod reinforces that this isn’t a clever gimmick; it’s a serious blend that happens to be agnostic about the number on the label.
Also worth noting: small production (12 barrels) keeps the focus tight. When you’re not making lakes of wine, you can be choosier about components—blending with a scalpel, not a paint roller. That’s likely why the Reverse Wine Snob crew gave it a high 9 on their Taste Rating scale and called the finish “dry, long and lingering.” If you’ve ever sipped a young Napa Cab that felt like leg day at the gym, this sounds like the opposite—structure present, but the edges are sanded.
Yes, the deal is gone—Insider Deals vanish faster than an offshore wind window—but the takeaway stands: multi-vintage Napa Cab, in the right hands, can be a net positive for balance and immediate pleasure. If Thurlow Cellars or Reverse Wine Snob float another round, I’d get on the list, not the fence.
Best occasion: A Friday night upgrade without the ceremony—decant while you argue about which coastal trail to hit tomorrow.
Best pairing direction: Grilled fare with a kiss of char—ribeye, portobello, or polenta with mushroom ragù. Think savory, smoky, and umami-friendly.
One more reason to keep an eye out: the Reverse Wine Snob reviewer even cheered the format itself, noting that more California wineries should embrace multi-vintage blending. When a respected taster says the quiet part out loud, it’s worth listening.
As Reverse Wine Snob put it, the Boomslang opens with dark berries, licorice, and spice, and closes long. No fireworks, no flexing—just clarity and confidence. That’s the kind of Cabernet I want more producers to chase, regardless of what’s stamped on the vintage line.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/insider-deal-boomslang-napa-cabernet/