Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

"The Ink Grade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a nose of fresh cassis, pomegranate, and cocoa with elements of thyme, mint, candied orange peels, nutmeg, cloves, and paprika. The palate is linear throughout with a consistent midpalate of bright and lifted acidity and well-integrated raw mountain tannins that close in a persistent finish." —winemaker

"Pretty aromas of ripe boysenberry, dark cherry and cassis, coupled with scents of sweet oak and herbal spice, introduce plush, deeply concentrated, black fruit flavors bolstered by bright acidity and well-structured tannins. This classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a long, lovely finish featuring savory fruit, spice and mineral tones." —winemaker

"This district is characterized by gravelly soils over a clay-like substructure along with stronger nightly cooling due to closer proximity to the San Pablo Bay. The resulting wines have been described as "textural hedonism"; wines full of flavor and intensity with a softer, elegant structure. The 2017 Addendum Stags Leap District absolutely delivers." —winemaker

"In the glass, the wine displays a nearly opaque ruby-purple hue. Upon closer inspection, aromas emerge in waves suggesting framboise, nutmeg, toasted cedar bark, plum reduction, and pennyroyal mint. The sleek palate is marked by mouth-watering notes such as blackberry compote, dark chocolate shavings, cassis, oolong tea, flint, and lavender. The dynamic flavors interact on the mid-palate with a vivid harmony, carrying through to the long floral finish, which lasts for up to a minute. With a pleasing acidity and fine tannic framework, this wine is very enjoyable today and should develop gracefully in the cellar for years to come." —winemaker

"The 2019 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, iris, vanilla and clove. Ruby in color, this elegant wine has great acidity and lift on the mid-palate. Black currant and warm baking spices linger with a deep and fruity finish. It will provide drinking pleasure through 2047 given proper cellaring." —winemaker

"Powerful and driven, State Ranch captivates the nose with a perfume of mixed wild berries, black cherry and aromatic herbs. At once juicy and concentrated, layers of black plum, black currant, and clove flavors unfold on the tongue. Polished tannins melt into the palate, beautifully framing the wine from the entry to the long, silky finish." —winemaker

"Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Grapes for this wine are farmed in a range of Napa’s sub-appellations – from Coombsville to Calistoga – with fruit from the valley floor creating lushness and the hillsides providing backbone. Diversification enables us to make the best possible wine in a given year, featuring layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries." —winemaker

"Exhibiting a nose of dark cherry and blackcurrant, nuanced with notes of creosote, graphite, cloves and vanilla. This dense and full-bodied wine is layered from the start and finished with powerful coating tannins. This wine has an incredible oily texture and a multi-dimensional structure with amazing balance, power and sophistication - it is sure to age gracefully for years." —winemaker

"Great aromatic complexity: sweet tobacco, bay laurel and lilac, alongside dark blue and black fruits of gorgeous purity. The wine is broad across the palate with wave upon wave of cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit. There’s great density and obvious power to the wine, and savory notes of Kalamata, licorice and anise add deeper complexity. Tannins are sleek, gravelly, and youthful and will allow the wine to age in bottle for twenty years if desired." —winemaker

"State Ranch is located northeast of the town of Yountville. The 23-acre vineyard is divided into two parcels by State Lane Road and consists of both older and younger vines. Many excellent wines are produced from this area, in part due to the rocky, loam soil which has excellent drainage throughout the year. The vines, as well as the clusters, are moderate in size and the vineyard gets full sun throughout the day. As the young vines mature, we will be harvesting many different clones to make the final wine. Nickel & Nickel selects fruit from 11 acres of the vineyard." —winemaker