Cathiard Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2021

Overview of the Wine
Two brothers, James and William Rennie, immigrated from Scotland to the Napa Valley and purchased the property in 1885.

They planted sixty acres of grapes covering the Rutherford and St. Helena AVAs, and built their stone gravity-flow winery.

The Rennie Brothers were the descendants of British engineers (their uncle, sir John Rennie, was knighted for his work in completing the London Bridge), and they carried this creative and innovative spirit as they constructed Rennie Brothers Winery, built an estate, and financed many local bridges including the current Pope Street stone bridge in St. Helena.

They were the first in the state to use a gasoline-powered engine to crush their grapes, and they developed some well extracted vintages.

Their dreams were cut short when two unfortunate situations arose. A fire broke out, burning their press and all their barrels. In addition, phylloxera was making its way throughout Napa Valley, bringing an end to the brothers’ winemaking journey.

The property changed hands and the winery was shuttered in 1920 with Prohibition.

The beautiful old stone winery became one of many that were built between 1860 and 1900 that eventually fell into disuse in the Napa Valley. Intact but untouched for many years, these wineries came to be known as ghost wineries.

Then followed a series of exciting and historic changes. In 1933, Louis Martini purchased the property and built in the early ‘40s a large wood house where he lived with his family. In the late ‘70s, he sold to the Komes-Garvey family who then sold to the Cathiard family in January 2020.

Florence and Daniel Cathiard purchased the estate after falling in love with its biodiversity. This connection to nature has been the cornerstone of their properties in Bordeaux, including Château Smith Haut Lafitte which they have owned since 1990.

As young and ambitious athletes, the Cathiards both became high level ski champions. Focused but also dreamers, they visited America for the first time in 1969 to attend Woodstock festival, one of the most significant events of their generation.

Their respect for nature and the arts is now expressed at Cathiard Vineyard.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California 

Winemaker Tasting Notes
A wine composed of the best of its namesake, Cathiard Vineyard displays an intensity and elegance that mirror the very soul of our terroir. On the palate, the wine showcases a velvety texture with rich flavors of dark fruits, tobacco and spice. Well integrated tannins provide structure and depth while a subtle minerality adds elegance and complexity. The finish is long and lingering, embracing the finesse of old world craftsmanship.

99 Points - James Suckling
Aromas of blackcurrants, pine needles, cedar, tree bark and fresh dark mushrooms. Some stone and black fruit, too. A very fine-grained wine, complex and refined with energy and focus. It’s elegant with a lasting finish. Hints of nutmeg and other spices at the end, with a touch of incense and sandalwood. Pure cabernet sauvignon from 45-year-old vines, the oldest hillside block at the property. 9,000 bottles made. Try after 2028.

98 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This Cabernet Sauvignon relies on 45-year-old vines to deliver depth, a long finish and a refined balance of tannins and fresh acidity. A combination of black fruits, deliciously fresh mixed herbs, pleasing earthy accents and a savory character immediately taste of Napa Valley, while the structure and poise are built to age, and feel reminiscent of classic Bordeaux. This is an exciting new project from the producers of Smith Haut-Lafite worth seeking out. Will continue to develop in cellar.

97 Points - Decanter
Fragranced and floral on the nose with clear toast, liquorice, cedar and blueberries. Dense yet agile, this has weight and an instant texture in the mouth - like crushed velvet, massy and full but chalky and softly chewy while remaining cool and lifted. I like the clean aspect with a really mineral, graphite aspect to the finish. Feels polished and utterly elegant, still super young, this hasn't given up any tension yet, but it will be sublime in time. Blackcurrants, plums and sweet spices but cool too, nothing overripe or pushed about this. Very good.

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the flagship is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate on the western side of the Valley. A darker, more structured wine, it has beautiful purity in its ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, tobacco, and chocolaty aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, and incredibly structured and inward on the palate, this riveting Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is going to require at least 7-8 years of bottle age to show its full potential.

96 Points - Wine Advocate
This property's flagship wine excels in this vintage with the 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red—based on older vines from the benchlands and hillsides—offering up an exciting array of aromas ranging from raspberries to blueberries and sage to bay. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense, tannic and muscular yet elegant. it's a gymnast of a wine that should age effortlessly for 20 years or more.

96 Points - Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's top wine, is dark and mysterious to the core. Black cherry, mocha, plum, new leather, incense and dried herbs all build in grand style, supported by beams of tannin that give the wine energy and shape. This is such an impressive showing, especially considering that these barrel samples were not in the best shape when I tasted them.

94 Points - Wine Spectator
This is a ripe, polished version, offering a steady beam of cassis and blackberry fruit laced with anise, apple wood and iron notes that stretch out nicely on the finish. The toasty frame is in balance with the fruit, which shows tension and cut through the finish. Best from 2026 through 2040. 750 cases made.

Product size: 750ml