An exciting new Napa project founded by John & Stacy Reinert, Brilliant Mistake Wines utilizes each coming from different backgrounds to be proprietors of their new business. While dating both would frequent the Napa Valley and were inspired by the wines made by Thomas Rivers Brown and Juan Mercado amongst others.
At the helm is winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, formerly working for cult projects such as Screaming Eagle, Dalle Valle, and director of winemaking at Atelier Melka. Their first vintage was in 2013, as this project has been a great success. Wines are very limited production and source from esteemed sites including the famed ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III.’ They also make a 100 case production Sauvignon Blanc which I didn’t taste. These wines have a very old-world feel, yet displaying plenty of ripe fruits and Napa character. These come off a bit akin to the Mayacamus and Corison style of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2018 Brilliant Mistake ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) is impeccably balanced, with a seamless texture and really good range. Even better is the sinfully good 2018 Brilliant Mistake ‘G3’Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is deep, rich and wonderfully concentrated, yet shows restraint and a wonderful veil of tension. Learn more at brilliantmistakewines.com Here are the outstanding new 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon releases by Brilliant Mistake.
2018 Brilliant Mistake ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Inky dark once in the glass, the 2018 Brilliant Mistake Cabernet Sauvignon shows dark currants and sandalwood tones on the nose, woven together with scorched earth and creme de cassis with red bell pepper undertones that all march in unison. The palate is seamless, showing a silky texture and wonderful sense of elegance, yet possessing good weight. A kaleidoscope of dark and red berries greet you, with tar, anise and exotic spices on the palate. The freshness imparted is outstanding, as this generously textured wine will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2038- 95
2018 Brilliant Mistake ‘G3’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the famed ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a magical effort from famed winemaker Maayan Koschitky. On the nose this takes on deep creme de violette and Turkish coffee tones alongside tar, tobacco leaf and blackberry compote that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, soft and seamless, showing a downright pillowy texture. Layers of creme de cassis, anise and baking spices are woven together with creosote and dark chocolate shaving tones on the palate. Full-bodied, yet showing a great mineral edge, the gorgeous 2018 ‘G3’ is already evolving beautifully at the three year mark, as this was decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 97