2021 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red

The single-varietal 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, from a section of the vineyard at 1,200 feet elevation and the oldest vines, is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs plenty of swirling to unlock slowly unfurling scents of blackcurrant jelly, ripe plums, and black cherries followed by hints of tar, licorice, black truffle, and lilacs plus fragrant suggestions of fertile loam and iris bulb. The full-bodied palate is super intense, with beautifully ripe grainy tannins and seamless freshness framing the densely laden black fruits, finishing long and perfumed. A breathtaking expression of the vintage and this beautiful little corner of Napa Valley! 8,000 bottles were made.
99/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown; The Wine Independent

Quite closed at first. And then a little oaky. There’s an initial hint of violet and peony which builds, bringing dark cherries, chocolate, incense, frangipane and toast. Sweet spices, above all nutmeg. On the palate this has a natural charming sweetness and an incredible power for a wine so limpid and translucent. Incredible textured and highly pixilated. A wine of very great purity. Yet a wine of very great density too. It’s like translucent basalt – impossible to imagine. So ample and the tannins so incredibly soft. Precise, refined and actually more easy to appreciate than you’d imagine. A baby. This needs time but the potential is extraordinary.
98/100 Colin Hay; The Drinks Business

The 2nd vintage from the Cathiard's Napa estate, and it continues the high quality set by the more challenging 2020 vintage. Inky ruby colour, medium to full intensity, understated cassis and bilberry fruit that is concentrated but not showy, with ink, soot, campfire, espresso, cocoa bean, cassis, great stuff. Justine Labbé winemaker, Frederick Ammons and Michel Rolland consultant
96/100 Jane Anson