Winemaker Notes
The nose is marked by interwoven, intense aromas of red currant, mint, and warm pie crust. These continue to the palate where they support concentrated flavors of blackberry and cassis. A densely structured mid palate is framed by balanced acidity and ends with exceptional length.
Pair this wine with braised short ribs, lasagna Bolognese, and pan roasted rack of lamb.
Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A wonderfully classic expression of Napa Cabernet from Rombauer in 2021, leading with blackberry, cherry, liquorice, graphite, and cedarwood. Medium-bodied with pure blackberry fruit, baking spices, creme de cassis, and red currants with a long lingering finish. 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cab Franc aged 16 months in French oak (75% new). Koerner Rombauer moved to Napa Valley in 1972. He had no intentions of getting into the winery business and became a partner in Conn Creek Winery in 1976, but had his garage bonded as a winery. Officially bitten by the wine bug, Kerner sold his interests in Conn Creek in 1980, made the first Rombauer wines at Shafer, and stored them in his bonded winery garage. A little side note: Koerner's great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote 'The Joy of Cooking'.
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Wine Spectator
This delivers a plumpish core of gently warmed cassis and plum sauce flavors laced with cocoa powder and mesquite hints. Tilts toward toasty in the end, but theres good energy. For fans of the style. Drink now through 2034. 9,907 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Almost entirely estate grown, Rombauer's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon does include a bit of purchased fruit from Blair (Calistoga) and Renteria 360 (Oakville). Marked by scents of cherries, cedar and dusty earth, this wine is full-bodied, supple and silky, with softly dusty tannins on 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.