By Rick Riozza
Now we hope you readers didn’t think that we were done covering newly released Cabernet Sauvignon. Granted, a couple of weeks ago, we recommended some easy fast ordering Cabs that were reasonably priced for their value. And last week, we went on to recommend some very high-priced Cabs for gifting and quaffing for the holidays.
Well—we haven’t finished our rant on the high-priced Cabs. There is so much ultra-premium Cab waiting for our consideration, that we must continue on. (Because our samples bottles have been delayed in transit, we will have to quote Wine Spectator for their wine reviews.)
And now: the Captivating Cabernet Continuum:
2021 Spottswoods Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena ($285). This offers a gorgeous display of pure, unadulterated mulberry, boysenberry and plum fruit puree flavors that glisten as they move along, throwing off light accents of anise, violet and hibiscus along the way. Inlaid with an underlying fine-grained structure in the form of sleek threads or iron and alder, this shows tensile strength while extending through the long, refined finish. Drink now through 2045. 97 points!
2021 DVO Napa Valley ($275). This is distinctive from the start, with notes of roasted applewood, cedar, warm earth, baker’s chocolate, and sweet tobacco leading off, followed by a deep well of black currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors. Flashes of flinty minerality peek in, adding cut and energy as the finish rumbles along, with a grippy terroir-driven feel. A blend of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. Best from 2027 through 2045. 96 points!
Alright—so who has heard of DVO? Get ready for the PR: “Tradition matters. It binds together families and friendships across backgrounds, languages, and continents. It informs values and deepens knowledge. It is also foundational to the philosophies of two storied wineries: Napa Valley’s Dalla Valle and Tuscany’s Ornellaia.
Old World elegance and New World freedom; Napa Valley and Tuscany; looking back while always looking forward: DVO is the alchemy of all those things and more, applied to Napa Valley fruit with magical results.
How about another new name: Acendo Cellars—This is the Araujo Family’s wine brand, made by two generations working together with their longstanding team to honor the winemaking and family heritage of Napa Valley.
The PR continuum: “Acendo’s inspiration is to produce and promote classically styled wines that express their terroir with balance, purity and nobility; revisit the iconic Napa Valley Cabernets of the 1950s – 1970s, sourced from multiple vineyards and showing perfectly 50 – 70 years later. Great wines don’t answer all the questions at the first sip. Great wines inspire a dialog about what makes them great.
“Acendo Cellars’ home for winemaking and guest visits is at Wheeler Farms, a new, state-of-the-art winery and hospitality space located in St Helena, Napa Valley. We invite you to experience the Accendo Cellars wines while visiting Napa Valley.”
2021 Acendo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($395). Rich and richly detailed, this red lets a wave of warm black currant preserves, steeped black cherry and plum puree glide through, carried by a serious matrix of polished fine-grained tannins and augmented by notes of alder, walnut husk, smoldering tobacco, and warm cast iron. Savory, menthol and dried violet hints all flicker in the background. Built for the cellar. Best from 2026 through 2045. 97 points!
2021 Salvestrin Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Dr. Crane Vineyard ($85). This restrained, mineral-inflected version is sleek and pure, with cassis, bitter lum and black cherry puree notes streaked with alder, savory and iron through the fine-grained and pinpoint finish. A red wine of precision and focus. Best from 2026 through 2040. 96 points!
2021 Dalle Valle Maya Napa Valley ($500). This gorgeous red is streamlined in feel, with vivid boysenberry, mulberry, and black currant fruit profile of the vintage, though in a slightly more reserved style, as a strong tobacco thread and cast iron spine keep its energy in reserve for now. There’s lovely tension through the finish with mouth-watering iris detail lingering amid the fruit and earth notes. A blend of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045. 97 points!
2021 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Tychson Hill ($750). Shows density abd drive with a core of well-steeped black currant, blackberry and plum fruit flavors holding center stage, well smothering cast iron, warm ganache, singed anise and violet notes form a suave backdrop. The lengthy finish lets the fruit and earth notes meld seamlessly. Nicely done. Drink now through 2042. 96 points!
2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Cask 23 ($325). This is loaded with gorgeous flavors of boysenberry, mulberry and blackberry puree that maintain a sleek and refined feel as violet, iris, and anise notes add range, lift, and energy. A super fine-grained feel completes the seduction of the lengthy finish, where subtle minerality chimes prettily. Drink now through 2042. 97 points!
Of course this is just a quick sample of all the great Cab out there. Does one think we can do even a fourth Cab article in time for the holidays!? Well—we do have to get to Champagne and bubblies, Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, dessert & sweet wines, so wish us luck. But hey!—you know what they say in the wine world: Never say never!
Rick is your friendly neighborhood wine steward and sommelier tasting through all of the Christmas Cabs you wish to share with him. He can be reach at winespectrum@aol.com.
