Lightning Cease & Desist 2015 | Exclusive allocation of a new cult favorite

Lightning Cease & Desist 2015 presents a lively crimson core with a touch of bramble bouquet.  In addition, a sprinkle of black pepper, hibiscus and cherry compote. Plus a cozy hug to the tongue as the initial greeting.  While juicy but elegant and a redeeming acid structure.  Finally, a realm ranging from fresh bing cherry to cooked blueberries and a gentle tannic background.

More righteous red blends

Winemaker Randy Hester’s Lightning Cease & Desist 2015 is a gorgeous blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, and Syrah. While offering the savoriness of a classic Rhône blend crossed with the beaming opulence of California fruit. Charcuterie, pepper, and herbs, blend seamlessly with ripe dark cherry and blueberry fruits, bolstered by fine-grained tannins. Yet, there is vibrancy in the lifting acidity courtesy of the 2015 vintage, as well as elegance & complexity. It’s hard to believe that this wine is only $29.99, and harder still to believe we’re the only ones in the country who have it. On days like today, everyone wins.

Rhone Inspired Red Blend | Only 10 barrels made

A generous, sun-kissed Rhône-inspired blend, the Lightning Cease & Desist 2015 is already a cult favorite.  With placements on the lists at Napa’s Rutherford Grill and Sonoma’s the girl & the fig. And while many others would like to get their hands on this vibrant, Grenache-based gem, there’s hardly any to go around. Only 10 barrels were produced, and after the restaurants, we’re the only ones in the country with an allocation.

Winemaker Randy Hester | A star is born

In 2006, when Randy Hester came to Napa Valley, he quickly zeroed in on who to pay attention to in the winemaking pantheon of local greats. That focus brought him into the sphere of great winemakers like Erickson, Rolland, and Keplinger, and Hester became a fixture at some of the Valley’s top wineries: Colgin, Realm, Cakebread, Caldwell, and Marciano. He now applies a master’s touch to Rhône varieties sourced from some of the top sites in Northern California.

In the Napa Valley, the whispers have become increasingly audible. Randy Hester, who cut his teeth under 100-point winemakers Andy Erickson, Michel Rolland, and Helen Kiplinger, is fast becoming a star. For now, his wines are what sommeliers dream of—underpriced and over-delivering—but if the market has any say, it won’t last.