Its by just such a maneuver that we scored this incredible blockbuster Cabernet at a FRACTION of its usual asking price. Its one of the most steeply discounted deals youll see on a luxury-level Napa bottling this year, and you wont find it anywhere but here.

Sourced entirely from a single blue-chip vineyard on the border of the Stags Leap appellation, this bottle hails from terroir that has regularly yielded best-in-vintage scores. Just 300 cases were produced, and it was treated to white-glove care in the cellar, aged in 100% French oak. A top-shelf reserve release that delivers a voluptuous, soft texture loaded with lush fruit and spice cradled in powerful, well-structured tannins, its a bottle that goes elsewhere for $185.

At Wine Access, members can scoop up this limited-production Napa Cabernet from a vintage Vinous called fabulous, for a staggering 73% off! When you see a checkmate opportunity like this one, youd best seize it right away before the chance vanishes.

Chess is a good analogy for a lot of the work we do sourcing rare wines, exclusives, and best-in-the-nation deals. Theres a lot of calculating of strategies and scenario-planning invisibly in the background. When everything comes together, the game can be over like a Jon Ludvig Hammer checkmate.

This deal came about thanks to our connection with the En Passant winemaker, whos asked to remain anonymous. Hes a friend of the team who often drops in on the tasting panel when were sampling Napa Cabs to share insights on the growing season and trade trends.

At a harvest party last fall, we had a chance to play a bit of a backroom broker. We knew our En Passant friend was looking for a high-end source of Napa Cabernet for his 2021 Reserve bottling. We also knew of another friend with elite-level vineyard connections who needed to make room in the cellar. While the rest of the guests were tossing back Modelos and letting off steam, we made introductions between our acquaintances, huddled over a bottle of blanc de blancs Champagne, and got the involved parties to the finish line and a handshake deal.

We didnt do it for our own benefit, but we didnt protest either when our friends sent us a small allocation that we could share with our members at a massively discounted price as a thanks for our help.

A potent, lavishly rich Napa Cab from a vintage thats been called one of the best of the decade, its a kingly deal for the price of a pawn.