ACCOLADES
96+ Points "Coming from a single clone and raised 20 months in new barrels, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Heritage Clone reveals a dense purple/ruby hue as well as an inward, concentrated profile carrying ample red and black plum fruits supported by a Graves-like scorched earth note as well as graphite, smoke tobacco, and sappy herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied wine that has a concentrated, dense mid-palate, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. It's another uber-classic 2021 that needs 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to age brilliantly."
- Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, January 2025
95 Points "A new bottling featuring Clone 31 (originally selected from Block S of Mondavi's To Kalon Vineyard and then treated for viruses at UC Davis), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clone To Kalon Vineyard The Reserve spent 20 months in 100% new French oak. Winemaker Kurtis Ogasawara said this bottling won't be made every year—there will be no 2022, for example—and that it's possible other clones may be highlighted in future vintages. The oak seems particularly subtle in this wine, with just hints of dried spices (cinnamon, clove) accenting bold cherries and cassis on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins here are particularly fine-grained, leaving a silky texture behind on the on the long-lasting finish."
- Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, October 2024
COMPOSITION
ABV 14.5%
Vintage 2021
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation Oakville, Napa Valley
Acidity 6.9 g/L
pH 3.47
Residual Sugar 0.4 g/L
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
VINEYARD
THE VINEYARD: The fruit for this wine comes from our To Kalon Vineyard, which is located on prime benchland in the Oakville District appellation. The well-drained soils and optimal sun exposure here enable the development of rich, complex flavors, impeccable phenolic maturity, and varietal character.
THE VINTAGE: The 2021 growing season was excellent and mild. After rains in January and February, the season remained dry. The weather was optimal at budbreak in April, bloom in May, and through the summer into harvest. A lower- than-average yield resulted in small, deeply concentrated grapes. In the cellar, the wine spent 17 days on the skins to maximize color and body and aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (100% new)
TASTING NOTES
Aromas: Blackberry, blueberry, red currant, with violet, graphite, and spice
Flavors: Generous fruit flavors and a hint of dried herb carry through the palate
Body: A silky texture, good acidity, and integrated tannins and a long finish
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