The saying goes that you can’t build a better mousetrap. But Steve and Jill Matthiasson (Shop our Matthiasson collection)— responsible for some of the finest domestic wines we’ve had the pleasure of tasting — work tirelessly to perfect one of California’s most iconic treasures, Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Napa Valley wine scene may not have been founded on Cabernet, but it’s certainly driven by that grape variety today. And for good reason! Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious, and malleable — in the hands of a master (like Steve), it can attain something very close to perfection. Generous fruit (cherry and blackberry) plays against savory notes of earth, graphite and cedar; this flavor explosion itself is rounded out by elegant tannins and just enough acidity.

The unfortunate truth of the matter, though, is that a great number of winemakers in Napa (and beyond), sully the bounty they’ve harvested with tons of new oak or over extraction. All that time and energy (not to mention new oak barrels) cost money, too, driving the prices way up. The Matthiassons, on the other hand, want to maintain the purity of their excellently-farmed fruit, and they want to see more bottles of their wine on your tables.

Enter the “Village”-level wines! Taking a cue from Burgundy, Steve harvests fruit from up and down the Valley, which he blends into a singular wine. The resulting wine isn’t aged as long as their top-tier Cabernet, but it’s not really meant to — this is a wine to drink, not necessarily one to lay down. After a long, slow fermentation, with only the occasional pump over, this wine highlights the perfect, organically-farmed fruit and the specific terroir of Napa, with its sunny days and cool nights. It’s aged for 20 months in mostly used oak, with a small percentage of new to impart some spice.

The Matthiassons really understand the most vital part of your wine experience — it must be enjoyable, even joyful. When we first introduced the Village Cabernet a few years back, we thought it was a one-off. Well, we’re very happy to be wrong, and even happier to introduce the 2022 vintage of this delightful bottle of ready-to-drink Cabernet. Start up the grill!

Matthiasson, Village Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2022 $44.99
Cherries and a melange of brambly berries find harmony with woodsy cedar, smoky graphite and dried herbs. A plush texture is firmed up by gentle tannins and sleek acidity.