Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

"The Pact shows beautiful dark blueberry and blackberry aromas over layers of crushed-rock minerality, haunting forest notes and hints of violet. With the texture of velvet—luxuriously dense—the palate wraps that core of blue and back fruit with the barest edge of bright cherry spiced with star anise and savory dried tarragon. Silky tannins and generous ripe fruit linger through an endless, vibrant finish. There’s a long life ahead for this Cabernet." —winemaker

"From the outset, this is one powerful, deeply expressive Cabernet with heady black currant, plum, and cedar aromas leading into a big, juicy entry. Layered currant and black cherry flavors are accented by elegant clove notes. Bold, coating tannins support and frame the entire wine, and hints of wet slate add dimension to a dark, brooding finish." —winemaker

"Beautiful aromas of dark plum, red cherry, licorice and warm baking spices open onto a plush and silky palate layered with plum, spiced cherry and cassis. A classic Napa Valley Cabernet, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity support the wine throughout, while the finish is refined and polished." —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

"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

"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

"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

"Carefully selected from the premier blocks of the Coombsville estate that sit on an elevated bench with volcanic soils underneath. The 2018 opens with fresh aromas of black cherries, black currants and blue fruits with graphite, tobacco, star anise and cocoa powder notes rounding the finish. The Pact is defined by minerality and purity, and its fine-grained tannins and natural acidity ensure that it will last for decades." —winemaker

"We are proud to carry the Coombsville appellation on our label after becoming a pillar of our cabernet sourcing in Napa Valley. The inaugural release presents a deep ruby with violet highlights and scents of wild blueberry, dried lavender, and mocha. A beautiful entry envelops the palate and features generous layers of red currant, black fig, and subtle notes of fresh sage and leather. Fresh acidity wraps around fine-grained tannins providing tension towards the finish, revealing a crushed rock minerality that confers the regions inherent rocky soils." —winemaker