2021 Macauley Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

DEC95 This is the 20th vintage of this wine. Grape sources include Darms Lane (Oak Knoll), Haymaker on Howell Mountain, Starr Vineyard, and other illustrious valley-floor vineyards in Rutherford. Aged in 80% new French oak. A wonderfully bright and lifted Cabernet Sauvignon from owner Macauley (Mac) Watson and winemaker Kirk Venge. There’s a lot to unpack on the nose and palate, with layers of crunchy cherry, blackberry, and blue fruit notes, loads of graphite, sweet, toasty oak, and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied with super juicy fruit and very present but very fine tannins that have a crushed cocoa nib quality while a pop of blood orange citrus on the finish layers in freshness. A great effort in 2021.