Festival Cellar

Great Napa Cab Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune. This One Proves It.

Value and quality Napa Cabernet rarely appear in the same sentence anymore. Cerro changes that.

Tastings.com gave it 94 points and called it “a plush, elegantly balanced Napa Cabernet with deep fruit, polished tannins, and a long evolving finish.” Our friends at Big Hammer Wines are calling it one of the top three bang-for-the-buck Napa Cabs of the year.

Here’s why:

J. Derek Beitler didn’t stumble into winemaking — he was born into one of Napa’s most storied families. His uncle is Charlie Wagner, founder of Caymus. His brother owns Bohème in Sonoma. Winemaking isn’t what Derek does — it’s who he is.

He spent his summers working the cellar at Caymus while in college, learning the craft from one of the most respected names in American wine. In 2007 he launched his own venture, JDB Wines. In 2010 he co-founded Carne Humana Winery in Napa with his cousin Joey Wagner. When someone who cut his teeth at Caymus makes a Napa Cab, you pay attention.

The fruit for Cerro comes from a vineyard on the northern edge of Napa’s Oak Knoll District — a site so coveted it’s protected by NDA. Other wines sourced from here sell for $250 and up.

Situated in the southern part of Napa, the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay keeps temperatures temperate and the growing season long. The result is a fresher, more restrained profile than you’d expect from a Napa Cab — elevated red fruit, a lower ABV, and a liveliness that sets it apart. A touch of Petit Verdot (just 5%) adds graceful tannins and an extra layer of complexity. Aged in 40% new French oak for structure without weight.