2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Sporting an inky purple hue, the classic 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley gives up a dense, powerful style as well as textbook notes of smoky black fruits, violets, spicy oak, and hints of chocolate. It opens up beautifully on the palate and is a medium to full-bodied, round, lush, seamless beauty that has integrated tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. Count me impressed. This is well worth your time and money and should have 10-15+ years of overall prime drinking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Although there is some Calistoga fruit, the emphasis in Etude's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is on vineyards in the southern part of the valley, from Niebaum Lane and south (readers can probably deduce some of the specific vineyard sourcing by checking where grapes for the more specific AVA bottlings come from). The result is a dark-fruited effort, with ample black cherries and cassis framed by gentle vanilla undertones. It's full-bodied and supple, with gentle tannins emerging on the lingering finish. It doesn't show a ton of complexity, but it is a nicely balanced, rich, flavorful drink that'll make delicious drinking for at least the next decade.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a blend across several sites. Vibrant and aromatic, this mid-weight Cabernet offers a good bit of immediacy and appeal. Spice, leather, tobacco and mocha meld into a core of dark-toned fruit as this charming, mid-weight 2021 shows off its allure.