2015 Band of Vintners ‘Consortium’ Cabernet Sauvignon

If we listed every accolade earned by the seven-man supergroup behind the 2015 Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet, we’d have to write another 1,000 words before getting to the point. So, to the point: The charge is led by 100-point Parker winemaker Dan Petroski of Massican and Larkmead, Aubert de Villaine-trained winemaker Stéphane Vivier of Hyde de Villaine, and Master Sommelier and Harlan alumnus Jason Heller. In addition to off-the-charts skill and palates, the Band of Vintners has deep and sturdy Napa ties, which they used to score fruit from a historic vineyard whose wines regularly fetch $125 per bottle in an average vintage. But 2015 was anything but: Vinous says it is “shaping up to be a vintage of opulent, voluptuous wines with real personality and character,” while Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate ranks it at 97 points. Powerful and plush, the Consortium does its high-profile producers and its provenance proud. A Napa Cabernet of this quality and of this pedigree at $35 is a steal.