If you know John Scwartz, either from his project Amuse Bouche and Au Sommet with Heidi Barrett, his baller Bourbon collaboration with Steph Curry, or his many other projects like Coup de Foudre, Richard G. Peterson, and so many others – you know the man swings for the fences. Every time.

We couldn’t pick just one of his critically acclaimed darlings, so today we have a MINI STORE TAKEOVER! Oh, and his wines are all 50%-74% OFF!!!

Leading the charge, this stunning take ‘Cheval Blanc’ class meets ‘Napa’ hedonistic pleasure. Exclusively at Wine Spies, with DOUBLE 94 POINTS, and dropping the price… wait, is this right? $130 OFF?!

Think of your favorite Napa Cab. Big, plush, dripping with ripe fruit and sweet spice greatness. Now imagine it had a more refined, somewhat exotic, bi-lingual older sibling. That’s this wine.

“Sold largely through a tasting room in downtown Napa and via a mailing list, these wines are somewhat are under the radar despite their fine quality.” quips Wine Advocate. But we managed to lock down a small allocation for you, dear Operative.

Vinous call out how it’s, “Dark and layered, with terrific depth,” and when we tasted it, we couldn’t agree more. Pouring an inky purple, it fills the air with aromas of blackberry preserves, cocoa powder, toast, violets, and a hint of black tea. Lush black fruit mingles perfectly with savory herbs and a hint of earth on the palate, all swaddled in sexy toasty oak. It lingers long on the palate, which is good, because it’s so tasty the bottle will be empty before you know it!

Good thing it’s OVER 74% OFF!

Grands Joueurs Vignerons represents a more playful spirit than Schwartz’s other projects, dedicated to crafting wines that embody old-world elegance through new-world innovation. The name itself has a somewhat dual meaning – roughly either ‘Big Baller’ or ‘High Roller’. His partner in the project is cult winemaker Kent Jarman. And the smart money is on this duo.

Jarman has worked alongside some of the top winemakers in Napa Valley (including Schwartz’s other collaborator, the former Screaming Eagle alum). With “humble” beginnings at Duckhorn, he later, as neighbor to Eisele Vineyard, single-handedly put Kennefick Ranch on the cult wine map. He now makes wine for some of Napa’s most sought-after labels.

‘Rougiste’ is a play on French meaning ‘one who works in red’. It’s a perfect name for this dark, spicy, silky, seductress.

At this price, it’s a no-brainer. And be sure to check out their OTHER WINES today.

But be warned. Quantities are very, very, low – THEY WON’T LAST!

94 Points – Vinous “The 2022 Rougiste is a Cabernet Franc-based blend, roughly equal parts mountain fruit and valley floor fruit. Dark and layered, with terrific depth, the 2022 offers up copious dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol, licorice and dried herbs. Pretty floral top notes lift the finish. Drink 2024-2032.”

94 Points – James Suckling “Powerful, full-bodied and drenched in black fruit, this Bordeaux-style wine is appropriately tannic, firm and deep. Black cherries, blackcurrants, black olives and hints of savory herbs and bay leaves. Second vintage of this bottling. 68% cabernet franc, 25% merlot and 7% cabernet sauvignon. Drink now or hold.”

93 Points – Wine Advocate “The Grands Joueurs Vignerons wines are made by Kent Jarman. His business partner in the enterprise is John Schwartz. I tasted the wines with Schwartz at his secluded roost high on Atlas Peak Road. Availability is largely limited to direct sales via a tasting room in downtown Napa or the website. John Schwartz and Kent Jarman up the ante with their 2022 Red Wine Rougiste, a blend of 68% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from Atlas Peak and Calistoga, it features a subtle, delicate leafiness married to riper notions of black cherries and bass notes of loamy earth. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, silky textured and shows ample concentration, finishing long and elegant, with attractive whispers of black tea leaves. Drink 2025-2040.”