Winemaker Notes
Expressive aromas of earth and sage are complemented by a hint of anise. The 2021 Domaine Eden Cabernet is a structured wine with a firm backbone that will soften over time in the cellar. The nose presents aromas of the forest surrounding the vineyards--chaparral and pine--blending with notes of dark fruit: plum, blackberry, and blueberry on the palate. Beechwood flavors linger into the finish. A true Bordeaux blend encompassing the top five Bordeaux grapes varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with small additions of Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is in its infancy today, but it’s absolutely seductive and sizzling, stacked floor to ceiling with intriguing layers that just need some time to coalesce. Cooling mint, black raspberry, juniper, leather and high-percentage dark chocolate open gradually, unfurling into a soft-textured, caressing, broad wine of sheer class. Oak is very much at the forefront for now, but the juicy freshness and old-school/new-school juxtaposition are really appealing. The 2021 is certainly not short on pure, clear fruit. Give this a couple of years to settle into itself.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blending 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and small additions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, the ongoing drought of the 2021 vintage challenged the Cabernet Sauvignon the most, and tannin management proved a challenge. As a result, some of the fermentation and pressing protocols were adjusted for the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, with barrel fermentation over 22 months in both French and American oak, the barrels anywhere from one to six years old. There’s a density to the wine and undeniable concentration, mountain-worthy tannins that are starting to soften, and a savory, wooded character to the currant and cassis, with additional notes of black olive.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a textbook Cabernet bouquet of dark fruits, pipe tobacco, dried herbs and conifers. The palate is rich and velvety yet eminently classy, propped up by a sturdy backbone of refined tannins that carries the savory yet approachable finish. This is a beautiful iteration of one of California's greatest Cabernet value propositions.
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James Suckling
Cassis, bruised blackberry and mocha aromas before a palate of breadth, structure and energy. Grilled sage, cigar humidor, black and purple plums and brandied black cherries with saline minerality. Better in two years, and then over the next several.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.