Winemaker Notes
The beautiful, deep, and vibrant violet-ruby color in the glass hints at the richness and depth of this Cabernet Sauvignon. When first opened, aromas of violets, mocha, and dark blue fruits envelop the nose. With time, the wine continues to evolve, as the bramble berry notes expand and make way for exotic spices and vanilla. These flavors are balanced by notes of juniper, cedar, and winter pine forest.
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This Cabernet Sauvignon is lifted by the addition of aromatic Cabernet Franc, creating a red wine of depth, concentration and persistence. The intensity of flavors still offers restraint and smart structural balance. Both red and black fruits intermingle with sage, licorice, coffee grounds and a hint of caramel. Impressive persistence.
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James Suckling
Aromas of blackberries, dark plums, bark and baking spices on the nose, followed by a medium to full body with fine tannins. Well-built and balanced, with a delicious core of berries and wild herbs on a velvety texture. Focused and flavorful finish.
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Wine Spectator
Red currant, cherry and raspberry coulis notes weave together, along with singed cedar and sandalwood, sanguine and savory accents. Lingering echoes of warm humus and red tea add perfume to the finish. Elegant in style. Drink now through 2036. 2,368 cases made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, its deeper ruby hue is followed by classic Larkmead notes of savory red and black fruits, camphor, loamy earth, and dried tobacco-like nuances. It's textbook Calistoga with its savoriness and minerality, and it s medium-bodied, with an elegant, focused mouthfeel and outstanding length. It has plenty of charm today (if you don't mind some tannins) and I suspect will evolve for 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (White Label) takes a base of ripe cherries and garnishes that with hints of florals and allspice. It's medium to full-bodied, plush and approachable, with ample concentration and a softly dusty, mocha-tinged finish.
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Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a soft, open-knit wine that will drink well upon release. This is an approachable Calistoga Cabernet endowed with tons of complexity. Black cherry, gravel, spice, new leather, tobacco and scorched earth convey the essence of the estate. Pretty floral top notes lift the finish.
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.