2021 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Cherries, cranberries and hints of mocha and earth mark the nose of the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a polite, restrained wine, smooth and silky in texture, medium- to full-bodied, with a streamlined shape on the palate that tapers into a long, elegant finish. True to the winery's historic style, it's not a big, in-your-face Napa Cab but one that prioritizes balance, elegance and refined, fine-grained tannins, with minimal oak impact. It's 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in a mix of foudres, puncheons and smaller barrels, all previously used.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop brings to mind older Mayacamas releases with its structured, tannic profile that demands extended cellaring. Darker currants, chalky minerality, lead pencil, marine-like nuances, and green tobacco all define the aromatics. Full-bodied, dense, and concentrated on the palate, it has building tannins, a layered, structured mouthfeel, and a great finish. Hide bottles for 4-6 years and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades. Drink 2029-2059.
The finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is going to be one of the Legendary Mayacamas, although a more modern-day version. Sporting a vivid ruby, mostly opaque hue as well as sensational aromatics of crème de cassis, ripe cherries, graphite, crayon, and cedar pencils, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless overall balance, ultra-fine, ripe, perfect tannins, and a great finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. The balance, purity, and elegance paired with the subtle, inward richness and power is something. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it was never short of spectacular, with its structure and tannins becoming more evident with air. It's far from the tannic beast that some vintages from this higher elevation terroir on Mount Veeder can be, and it clearly offers immense pleasure even today. Yet, it probably won't hit true prime time for another decade, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this be a 50- to 60-year wine. Bravo. Drink 2030-2080.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, tasted from barrel, is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. I can't help but notice how incredibly refined it is, especially in its tannin profile. Graphite, dried herbs, lavender, menthol, licorice, mocha and incense all run through this beautifully delineated, potent Cabernet Sauvignon. I tasted the 2021 from a blend of six separate component blends.