Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Adaptation Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, leads with a heady aromatic rush of lilac, blackcurrant, ripe raspberry, vanilla, and clove. The palate reveals flavors of blackberry cobbler, fig, and raw almond packed around a tightknit core of soft tannin. The judicious use of new French oak lends structure while adding a flash of espresso and cedar through a luxurious finish.
Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plush and generous aromas of blackcurrants, blackberry compote, graphite and violets. The palate is full-bodied with bold tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of blood plums, licorice and spices. Very generous and ripe, with high drinkability.
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Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Adaptation is a blend of seven different vineyards across the valley, from mountain sites and valley floor sites. Savory and floral notes lead into a core of dark red/purplish fruit. This bold, savory Cabernet Sauvignon packs a pretty serious punch with its mid-weight frame. Best of all, this is a terrific wine for the money.
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.