Winemaker Notes
With this bottling, the rich and concentrated characteristics of Yountville Ranch Vineyard are balanced by Rockerbox Vineyard’s bright juicy fruit and floral aspects. Intense aromas of dark chocolate, blackberries and mocha will draw you in, further leading to a dense palate of blackberry jam, toasty oak with a lovely briary character. Big chewy tannins make for a long finish that lingers on the palate.
Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The nose is deeply scented and giving, with aromas of blackberries, mocha and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with firmly integrated tannins and acidity, showing notes of bramble berries, blackcurrants and cigar box. Densely structured with underlying freshness.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and direct, with delicious red and black currant pate de fruit notes stitched with apple wood and sweet tobacco. Shows a subtle sage echo through the finish. Ready to go. Drink now through 2034. 10,800 cases made.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2021 Markham Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of crushed blackberries and a hint of oak. Structured and composed, the palate reveals appealing black fruit flavors with a firm, steady finish. A natural match for a grilled ribeye. (Tasted: June 18, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.