We are suckers for old school wineries where the family actively works their own land and makes their own wine. In France and Italy, this is still the norm. In Napa Valley, not so much.

Today, we bring you one of the rare exceptions. For 45 years, the Hill family has grown grapes in Napa Valley, selling most of their fruit to the likes of Quintessa, Cakebread, Silver Oak, Ramey and Duckhorn.

They also retain around 20% of the crop to bottle themselves, and that's where things get exciting. Our favorite wine from their lineup is the "Barrel Blend" and it happens to also be their least expensive. Velvety, decadent and oh-so-smooth, it is a seriously fun and delicious bottle of wine. Thanks to their lack of fancy marketing, expensive grape contracts and big-name winemaking consultants, it costs no more today than it did a decade ago!

So far, we look to be the only ones on the planet to have this latest release of this wine, from Napa Valley's much lauded and loved 2023 vintage. Even the winery is still selling the previous vintage. Read on for the full story, and for a powerhouse red from one of our favorite Central Coast winemakers, then hit "Order Here" to get in on the action.

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2023 Hill Family Estate "Barrel Blend"
Napa Valley, California
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Ten years ago, Robert Parker himself awarded 93 Points to the 2013 vintage of this small-production, family-made red, calling it a...

“Crowd-pleasing, hedonistic and intellectual turn-on.”

- Robert Parker on the 2013 Barrel Blend

Bob was right then, and his words apply equally to the 2023 Barrel Blend we bring you today. A blend of nine grapes, led by Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, it throws out rich, velvety ribbons of plum, black cherry, black raspberry, mocha, cedar, violets, and bay laurel with just a tiny hint of Dr. Pepper. The palate is full-bodied, smooth and enduring, with no hard edges.

Awarding the same 93-Point score that Robert Parker did a decade ago, James Suckling writes...

"Nicely perfumed and polished, this sleek, full-bodied wine has well-concentrated flavors of ripe, juicy black cherries. Firm, fine-grained tannins give a good, snappy texture, carrying the intense fruitiness through the lingering finish. Drink now or hold. Screw cap."
          - 93 Points, James Suckling (9/16/2025)

Steak frites. Brisket. Salmon burgers. Veggie shepherd’s pie. This will pair wonderfully with all of them. In his review from a decade ago, Parker quoted a price of $28. Winery price on the 2022 vintage is $35. Impressively, we're able to let this 2023 vintage beauty fly today for less than both!

Vin Chicago Price: 24.99

Vailia's Signature Red is Back!

2023 Desparada "Sackcloth & Ashes" Red Blend
Central Coast, California
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Does anyone craft big, nuanced reds like Vailia From? For well over a decade, she has wowed us with her full-throttle, big-bodied, TINY production wines.

The “Sackcloth & Ashes” is her signature red. A Cabernet-led blend built mostly from Paso Robles fruit, including a good bit from the Chelle Vineyard that she and her husband own, with a 20% splash of Star Lane from Santa Barbara’s Happy Canyon. Bottled unfined and unfiltered at a lush 15.5% ABV, it is knockout good...

"Based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec, and 6% Cabernet Franc aged 19 months in 40% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, the 2023 Sackcloth and Ashes is ruby/plum-hued and has beautiful aromatics of blue fruits, leafy herbs, lavender, and tobacco on the nose, with some classic Bordeaux-like cedar pencil. It's ripe and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish. There are 417 cases. Enjoy this big, pure, layered, incredibly impressive beauty over the coming 10-15 years or more. Drink 2026-2041."
          - 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, September 2026

"The 2023 Sackcloth, Ashes entices with a classic bouquet of pencil shavings, white pepper, cassis and dusty black currants. Silken textures flood the palate with ripe red and black fruits as savory herbal tones and nuances of graphite add complexity toward the close. It leaves a pleasant herbaceous note, finishing with an array of fine tannins and a pleasantly tart blackberry tinge. The Sackcloth, Ashes blends 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc. Drinking Window 2027 - 2037."
          - 94 Points, Vinous - Eric Guido, April 2026

Vailia crafted 417 cases of this wine. For her, that's high production! At the winery she charges $68. The only other listing we found is $87. Beating them both, our price puts this one right in the sweet spot!

Vin Chicago Price: 59.99