Giapoza Cabernet 2020

A lot of people ask – “what’s your top Cabernet under $20?”

And I inevitably point to this gem – Giapoza Cabernet. 

Giapoza’s lush and open dark cherry fruit character, its rich and full-bodied feel on the palate, and supple smoothness on the finish all make it a perfect-drinking Cabernet – and it’s always been under $20. Delicious for all these reasons, but amazing for the fact that it’s also got a large chunk of Napa Valley fruit in the bottle. And who can find a Napa Cab under $20?

The story behind Giapoza is that of Michael and MaryAnn Pozzan. As a young couple in the North Coast of California, MaryAnn and Michael to started their own eponymous winery. For years Michael had been making wine for other people – giving him a strong track record of hunting down the best fruit in both Napa and Sonoma. So they took the leap in the early 1990s and while Michael sourced grapes and made wine, MaryAnn handled the business side. Together, once harvest was done, they’d hit the road doing the hard work of selling wine.

Michael and MaryAnn have stayed a focused, small, family-run operation for over three decades, with their first full-time employee being their eldest son, seven years after he graduated from college. Throughout the entire time the family business motto has been: “The pleasure of good wine is not just about balanced flavors, a fragrant nose, or lush colors. It’s also about the moment when that first sip is taken, with family or friends, over favorite foods or during special occasions. We create wines for moments like those.”

And indeed, the Giapoza Cabernet is one such highly drinkable wine:

This Cabernet opens with warm fruit aromas of dark cherry, bursting with ripeness raspberries, and touches of melted chocolate and vanilla. On the palate the wine is luscious, rounded in its fruit character, and smooth. It’s a powerhouse of a Cabernet with its completely integrated tannins, perfect for drinking now.

When making this wine, Michael and MaryAnn were hoping to name it after their granddaughter – Gianna. Unfortunately, they discovered there was already a winery named Gianna. After researching many variations on her name, they came to the conclusion of Gianna and Pozzan – hence, Giapoza. Here is to a great family-run winery and their delicious wine! Cheers.