Thurlow Cellars, Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon, NV

The Thurlow Cellars "Boomslang" Cabernet Sauvignon NV is a distinctive Napa Valley wine that defies the traditional "vintage-only" culture of high-end California reds. Named after the sleek African tree snake, the wine is designed to reflect "coiled power" and immediate accessibility. Founded in 2016, Thurlow Cellars is part of the Appellation Trading Company (ATC Wines) portfolio, led by founder Charles Bartlett. The brand was established with a focus on small-batch, site-specific excellence, often naming their flagship wines after snakes. The winemaking is headed by Kevin Morrisey, a veteran with a prestigious pedigree that includes stints at Château Pétrus in Bordeaux, as well as Stags’ Leap and Ehlers Estate in Napa. His goal with the Boomslang label was to create a "Napa luxury" experience that is approachable upon release rather than requiring years of cellaring. It is a multi-vintage blend, incorporating fruit from the 2019, 2021, and 2022 harvests. This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from high-elevation, rocky vineyards in some of Napa Valley’s most revered AVAs: Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain, and Atlas Peak. The wine is aged in toasted French oak barrels for 22 months. This aging intensifies the aroma of the wine with scents of dried cherries, layered with notes of vanilla, tobacco leaf, and cedar. The palette is rich and plush with a medium-to-full body. It leads with dark fruit; specifically cassis and plum—followed by savoury undertones of dark chocolate, espresso, and leather. This wine pairs exceptionally well with a char-grilled ribeye steak topped with rosemary-garlic butter or slow-braised short ribs.