2021 Riverain ‘Tench Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon

JD98 I loved the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard from this estate, which has Thomas Rivers Brown making the wines. Loads of black fruits, iron, black olive, walnut shell, and darker chocolate notes all define the aromatics, and it’s a quintessential expression of the vineyard aromatically. Rich, full-bodied, and powerful on the palate, with beautiful yet substantial tannins, it’s another flawlessly balanced, structured, impressive wine in the vintage that needs bottle age. Hide these for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.

Estate Notes: Inky dark color, blackberry, iron, cassis and hints of tilled earth on the nose and in the glass. The mild season provided big velvety tannins that arrive late on the palate and there is plenty of Eastern Oakville acid. The balance and the length are what we like best. Mostly Darnajou, Taransaud and Baron cooperage. For those who can’t wait a few years to enjoy this vintage, we definitely recommend a nice decant for early drinking.