Benchmark works with prominent collectors to acquire rare and special wines from around the world. Recently, several collections arrived which included many older Napa Cabernets from producers such as Spottswoode, Opus One, Mondavi, Heitz and other classic Napa wine producers. These producers helped establish Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as a serious competitor to Old World wines, laying the foundation for the region’s global prestige.

The symbolic and literal breakthrough came with the now-legendary Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting where top French judges unknowingly rated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons (and Chardonnays) on par with — or better than — premier Bordeaux and Burgundies. This moment stunned the wine world and proved that Napa Valley Cabernet could not only compete with but also beat the best of Bordeaux.

Rather than copy Bordeaux entirely, these producers began to define a distinctly Californian style of Cabernet Sauvignon, characterized by riper fruit, more approachable tannins and lush texture, and focus on single-vineyard expression, like Heitz’s Martha’s Vineyard and Mondavi’s To Kalon.

Take a look at the many Napa classics now available at Benchmark, and enjoy.