Description
Keever Vineyards, “Inspirado” Cabernet Blend
Power. Polish. Pedigree. The world of wine never stops expanding, but for showstopping luxury and gusto, nothing quite hits the sweet spot like a great Napa Cabernet. As such, the price of entry to this premium category never stops rising: It’s now par for the course to spend $150+ on a Cab collectible, and one would expect the same from Keever’s “Inspirado” after noting that it comes from prime Mayacamas hillside terroir and is crafted by Celia Welch, the same winemaker behind legendary Scarecrow.
Miraculously, that’s not the case. Already equipped with five years of age, this hedonistic, drop-dead gorgeous Cabernet blend brings all the swank and depth anyone could want when laying down the big bucks, all while offering incredible dollar-for-dollar value. Laden with ripe purple-black fruit, swirling with smoky spice, and awash in voluptuous texture, it’s a lavish experience now—although it guarantees to reward extended cellaring as well. You cannot go wrong!
If “Inspirado” is a sleek, of-the-moment take on Napa Cab, the Keever estate itself harkens back to a valley operation of yesteryear. Originally founded by Bill Keever in 1999, it’s a true family operation. Bill is CEO and General Manager; his wife Olga runs the behind-the-scenes accounting work; his daughter Ashley does the tastings; and Bill’s son Jason handles the day-to-day winemaking duties. This hands-on family operation is frankly a dying breed in the Napa Valley, and the Keever’s commitment to doing nothing but producing world-class Cabernet is a breath of fresh air.
The Keever commitment runs deep. It’s perched in the foothills of the Mayacamas ridge, most of the estate little more than rocky outcroppings. While the estate itself is about 20 acres, only the best six and a half acres are planted to vines. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, with a tiny bit of Sauvignon Blanc. In this rocky ground, eroded over several millennia, the vines plunge their roots as deep as possible to access water and nutrients. The resulting wines hum with the textural, aromatic force only achieved in marginal plots like these.
Once the fruit arrives at the winery, it’s in the hands of a bonafide Napa Valley rockstar. Celia Welch was born and raised in Medford, Oregon, where her parents were avid wine collectors and home winemakers. Her first independent winemaking position was at none other than Staglin, a benchmark of modern-day Napa. Now, in addition to consulting at Keever, she oversees winemaking at Scarecrow, whose booming Cult Cabs are as coveted as Screaming Eagle.
The 2017 “Inspirado” is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Poured into a Bordeaux stem, it’s deep purple with a garnet rim, and the nose booms with Napa Valley power and opulence. Ripe black raspberries, boysenberries, blackcurrant, plum preserves, toasty spice, cocoa, and gravelly earth come to the fore. The palate is lushly textured and full in body with a classy coating of finely grained tannins and a perfect balance of acidity. The plummy richness takes center stage, with dried floral and cinnamon notes rounding out the finish. It’s a masterclass in pure Napa breed, the sort of bottle that will provide indulgent pleasure for the next 7-10 years.
