Lerner Project, RMS Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016

Founded in 2016, the Lerner Project began when Stu Lerner—a long-time veteran of the wine industry supply chain—partnered with Russell Bevan to create a label that focused on Napa’s most historic and high-potential terroirs. The brand’s cornerstone is the Armstrong Ranch on Diamond Mountain, a vineyard with old vines dating back to 1983. The RMS (named for the founders’ initials) was launched to showcase Bevan’s mastery in blending fruit from elite sites like Tench Vineyard (Oakville) and Sugarloaf Mountain. While the winery doesn’t use a traditional Latin slogan, Stu Lerner’s founding principle serves as the brand’s guiding motto "The one thing we will never do is compromise on quality." The blend is made of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Franc. It is age for 18 months in 100% New French Oak. The wine opens with the aromas of graphite and scorched earth with deep crème de cassis and blueberry compote. The palate is impressively dense, offering a mouth-coating texture filled with bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and black cherry, all culminating in a finish that is surprisingly elegant and refined. Serve this wine alongside a rosemary-crusted ribeye steak with a dark mushroom reduction to balance the wine's intense tannins and earthy graphite notes.