World's End “If Six Was Nine” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
We have 8 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Many Napa reserves are sold on one famous address; World's End has built its reputation on several. Since its first Napa vintage, the project has sourced heavily from vineyards owned by grower Andy Beckstoffer, including To Kalon in Oakville, first planted by Hiram W. Crabb in the 19th century, and Georges III in Rutherford, roughly 250 planted acres divided into 29 blocks. Earlier vintages of If Six Was Nine have combined those two benchland sites with Stagecoach, on the Pritchard Hill side of the valley's eastern mountains. That mix is the logic of the wine: the Oakville and Rutherford benches give Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon its ripe fruit and fine tannin, while hillside fruit from the east adds color and grip.
The Wine
World's End "If Six Was Nine" Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led red at 14.8 percent alcohol. Founder Jonathan Maltus makes his Napa wines much as he does in France: fermentation in temperature-controlled vats, malolactic in new French oak, then a year and a half to two years in barrel in a cellar held near 61°F. The 2019 edition of this reserve spent 24 months in 100% new French oak. Expect a high-toned, floral nose of ripe red berries over loamy earth and graphite, then a full, round palate of tart red cherry and blackberry with sandalwood, vanilla, cedar, and cocoa, velvety tannin, and a salty, mineral finish. The 2020 vintage was one of Napa's hardest: lightning-sparked wildfires in August, then the Glass Fire, which ignited near Deer Park on September 27. Volumes were smaller than usual as wineries tested lots for smoke impact, and the Napa Valley Vintners called the vintage challenging but not lost.
The People
Despite the apocalyptic name, World's End takes its title from a corner of Chelsea in London where Jonathan and Lyn Maltus once lived. Maltus was born in Lagos, Nigeria, educated in England, and started a petrochemical company at 21. He sold it at 36, moved to southern France, and learned to make wine from a neighbor in Cahors. In 1994 he and Lyn bought Château Teyssier, a five-hectare property in Vignonet, and he emerged as a leading figure of Saint-Émilion's 1990s garagiste movement, best known for Le Dôme. Napa followed in 2008, when he met Andy Beckstoffer and secured fruit for three debut wines. Every World's End bottling is named for a song; If Six Was Nine is the 1967 Jimi Hendrix Experience track.
Food Pairing
This is a full-scale Napa Cabernet, so give it food with fat and char. A dry-aged ribeye grilled over hardwood and finished with flaky salt is the classic call, the tannin cutting straight through the marbling. Beef short ribs braised in red wine and served over parsnip purée match the wine's depth and its cocoa and vanilla side. Lamb shanks slow-cooked with rosemary, garlic, and white beans bring out the earthy, graphite edge. Open it for the anniversary steak, and give it an hour in a decanter first.
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Napa Valley, a narrow strip of land in Northern California, is one of the world's most renowned wine regions. Its history dates back to the mid-19th century, but its rise to international prominence began in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly after the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris" tasting, where Napa wines triumphed over French counterparts. Geographically, the valley is roughly 30 miles long and a few miles wide, running north-south, bordered by the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Vaca Range to the east. The climate varies significantly from south to north: the southern end, near San Pablo Bay and including the Carneros region, is cooler, influenced by fog and breezes, while the northern end, near Calistoga, experiences much warmer temperatures. This gradient, along with the distinction between the fertile valley floor and the rugged mountain vineyards, contributes to a diversity of growing conditions, allowing for a wide range of grape varieties, though Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme.
California - Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon, originally hailing from Bordeaux, France, has triumphantly spread to become a cornerstone of vineyards worldwide, achieving particular renown in Napa Valley. This versatile grape variety adapts to a broad spectrum of climates, producing full-bodied wines that are rich in black cherry and blackcurrant flavors, with layered complexities of oak and spice. The grape's success in regions like Napa Valley is a testament to its global adaptability, where it benefits from the optimal blend of warm days and cool nights, coupled with diverse soil types, to express a unique balance of power and elegance that pays homage to its Bordeaux origins.
Cabernet Sauvignon
"Unknown" farming method indicates that the specific vineyard practices used to produce the wine have not yet been clearly identified or verified. Due to limited publicly available information, complexity of research, or lack of transparency from certain wineries, it can sometimes be challenging to accurately categorize each vineyard's farming practices. Our team is actively working to research and update our records to provide the most accurate information on every wine we offer. We understand the importance of transparency and sustainability and strive to categorize and communicate farming methods as quickly and comprehensively as possible.
