Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot

Food pairings: Grilled ribeye and other grilled beef, beef tenderloin, lamb chops, veal, mushroom risotto and hearty dishes such as meatloaf, pizza and pasta.

Winemaking: Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted with time-honored winemaking techniques to be enjoyed upon release. The 2023 was aged for 10 months in French oak, 30% new, which adds polish without masking the fruit. The 2023 growing season was cool, with steady rainfall and a notably late bud break; the long, slow ripening built layered aromatics and deep color while keeping bright acidity. Harvest ran from October 7 to November 10, picking Cabernet Sauvignon from the northernmost sites first and moving south through the valley as each block reached its peak.

Vineyards and terroir: The wine is blended from carefully selected, sustainably farmed vineyards across several Napa Valley appellations, uniting diverse sites in one seamless expression of the valley. Merlot and Petit Verdot from the family's Carneros and Oakville blocks round out the blend with lift, structure and depth.

Family and history: Post & Beam was launched in 2020 by the Far Niente family of wineries, debuting with the 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is named for the simple yet elegant post-and-beam barns that dot the American landscape, such as those at the family's Nickel & Nickel winery in Oakville, as a symbol of craftsmanship, tradition and purity. The original Far Niente winery was founded in Oakville in 1885 by John Benson and was restored by Gil and Beth Nickel beginning in 1979. Today Michael Accurso leads winemaking for Post & Beam.

In the pictures: The entrance arbor of the historic Far Niente estate in Oakville (courtesy of Far Niente Wine Estates).