Winemaker Notes
Rewarding with extraordinary depth and poise, the drinking pleasure of 2021 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon begins with notes of royal cassis that fan out on the palate and continue with silky black cherry and refined dark berry fruit framed by bakers’ chocolate, cedar, and toasted sage. A lush, supple midpalate displays firm yet suave tannins balanced by a juicy texture lent by a deft blending of Merlot from the estate’s hillside vineyards. This is both a classic wine and vintage, finishing like it begins, with a flourish of brambly blackberry fruit lifted by accents of violets and bergamot.
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A polished, creamy style, with enticing notes of plum sauce, blackberry preserves, melted licorice and dark cocoa that meld steadily through the loam-accented finish. Best from 2026 through 2036.
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James Suckling
Firm, dark-fruited and focused with aromas of dark cherries. dark plums, dried herbs, cedar and cloves. Well-balanced with a medium to full body and plush tannins. Generous and robust, with a creamy core of berries, herbs and spices on the palate and a flavorful finish with good persistence.
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.