Winemaker Notes
In the 2021 Courtship we find a beautiful mingling of vibrant red fruit with the earth driven profile of a classic mountain wine. Courtship's inviting aromas include rhubarb, tarragon, red currants, and wild blackberry bramble. A sense of umami and minerality at entry sets the stage for primary, unabashed fruit on the palate, like black cherries at peak season. The powdery, pleasant tannins that follow are reminiscent of red plums and their skins. Juiciness is balanced by lithe, lingering structure.
Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Courtship is a very serious second wine that is going to need time to soften. Dollops of Merlot and Malbec add succulence, but mountain tannins are never too far away. Chalk, white pepper, gravel and dried rose petal weave through a core of red-toned fruit in this rich, heady wine from Cornell. The 2021 is a huge overachiever in its peer group.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.