94 Points, James Suckling
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This wine was made by none other than Keith Emerson, YES that Keith, of the glorious $200+ wines he made for Vineyard 29 among others.
VINEYARDS
Grapes picked from volcanic benchland vineyards in the heart of the valley east of the Mayacamas range. Perfect growing conditions, with lingering fog and warm daytime highs develop complex fruit due to an extended ripening period.
This prolific vineyard was carefully planted for optimal sun exposure in soil composed of gravel, loam and volcanic deposits.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Classic, labor-intensive, small-lot winemaking techniques implemented.
Four-day cold-soak, hand punch downs for two weeks in open top fermenters. Aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months.
VINTAGE
The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised us with a beautiful vintage. An unseasonably dry and mild winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season.
A relatively warm, but even summer, resulted in early harvest dates, with lower-than-average yields with good quality.
Consulting Winemaker: Keith Emerson
Vintage: 2021
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Aging: Aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months.
Brix: 25.9
pH: 3.77
TA: 0.59 g/100ml
Alcohol: 15.1%
95 Points
Engaging and floral with its red roses, violet, and hibiscus on the nose that tease you to take a sip. Then, BOOM! Rich dark black fruit flavors of cassis, deep blackberry, mixed berry preserves, kirsch, baking spice and subtle notes of cocoa and oak that envelop your senses.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
93 Points
Dark fruit with blueberry fruit aromas and notes of mocha and cassis. The texture is silky, rich and mouth-filling with berry pie, black tea, exotic spice and notes of chocolate fudge on the palate. Fine grain tannins lengthen the finish with dark fruit flavors mingling with just a hint of mint.
92 Points
Deep garnet core with aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice mingle and swirl on the nose. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
96 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spicy cola and black tea waft from the glass. The palate delivers all of that and then some, adding layers of fig jam, white peppercorn and baking spice. Firm juicy tannins and balanced acidity round it out.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
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