Product Overview
Winery's Notes:
"Our CRU Cabernet is deeply rooted in the vineyards of St. Helena that surround our estate, with about 60% of the fruit coming from neighboring growers. Each year, we hand-select the balance of the blend from different parts of the valley to layer together a delicious, well-rounded and beautifully balanced wine that expresses the nuance and character of the Napa Valley. Fourteen vineyards play a role in the C RU bottling, including valley floor and mountain Cabernet and Malbec, valley floor Petit Verdot and Merlot, and bench land Cabernet Franc blocks, which all contribute to the juicy approachability and great structure of CRU Cabernet.
Enticing aromas of bing cherry, dried lavender and roasted coffee beans awake the senses and set the stage for a full throttled palate of ripe blackberry and both red and black cherries. An undercurrent of seamlessly integrated oak shows itself with notes of cedar, all spice and sandalwood and adds to the fresh, lifted flavor profile that carries all the way through the lengthy finish. Amazing energy and verge, this wine is structured to age for decades but also quite drinkable upon release. CRU is always crafted with meticulous attention to detail in Vineyard 29’s gravity flow facility, which assures that each vintage is showing beautifully right out of the gates."
Varietal Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% new
Production: 4,596 cases
Winemaker: Keith Emerson
93 Points - Wine Advocate
"The delicious 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru is a terrific introduction to the Vineyard 29 style, plus it's reasonably priced and should be at least somewhat available, as 4,600 cases were produced. Black cherries, cassis and dusty earth notes mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is smooth, velvety and supple. It even adds hints of chocolate cake and black olives on the finish, each balancing out the other and providing additional complexity." -JC, 7/3/24
90 Points - Vinous
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon CRU (Napa Valley) is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Rich, succulent and inviting, the 2021 offers tons of immediacy and plenty of appeal. Juicy dark cherry, leather, tobacco, spice and chocolate are nicely amplified. Most of this fruit is from vineyards in St. Helena." -AG, Dec/2023
