The 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a highly celebrated wine, earning top marks from numerous respected reviewers. This single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, produced in the North Coast region of California, showcases the quality and expertise of Cathiard Vineyard.
The Wine Independent awarded the wine a near-perfect score of 99, describing it as "deep garnet-purple in color" with a bouquet that requires "plenty of swirling to unlock slowly unfurling scents of blackcurrant jelly, ripe plums, and black cherries." The reviewer highlighted additional notes of "tar, licorice, black truffle, and lilacs plus fragrant suggestions of fertile loam and iris bulb," and praised its "beautifully ripe grainy tannins and seamless freshness." They concluded that it is a "breathtaking expression of the vintage and this beautiful little corner of Napa Valley."
James Suckling also gave the wine a stellar 99 points, noting its "aromas of blackcurrants, pine needles, cedar, tree bark and fresh dark mushrooms," with "stone and black fruit." He described it as "a very fine-grained wine, complex and refined with energy and focus," and noted its "elegant with a lasting finish." Suckling mentioned hints of "nutmeg and other spices at the end, with a touch of incense and sandalwood," and suggested that the wine will reach its peak after 2028.
Decanter rated the wine at 97 points, highlighting its "fragranced and floral" nose with "clear toast, liquorice, cedar and blueberries." The palate is described as "dense yet agile," with a texture "like crushed velvet" and a "clean aspect with a really mineral, graphite aspect to the finish." Decanter praised its "polished and utterly elegant" nature, suggesting it will be "sublime in time," and recommended drinking it between 2027 and 2040.
Vinous, through Antonio Galloni, provided a score range of 93-96+ points, describing the wine as "dark and mysterious to the core." Galloni noted flavors of "black cherry, mocha, plum, new leather, incense and dried herbs," supported by "beams of tannin that give the wine energy and shape."
Jeb Dunnuck also scored the wine highly, with 95-97+ points, describing it as a "darker, more structured wine" with "beautiful purity in its ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, tobacco, and chocolaty aromas and flavors." Dunnuck mentioned its "full-bodied, concentrated, and incredibly structured" palate, suggesting it will require "at least 7-8 years of bottle age to show its full potential."
In summary, the 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly praised wine, known for its complex aromas, refined palate, and impressive aging potential.