Red Wines

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This shows a lot of class, with aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, blueberries, dried flowers, black truffles and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with seamless tannins that goes on and on. Endless. Blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and violets with hints of fresh rose stems and light herbs. Velvety texture. A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Better after 2027.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2021 Napanook is one heck of a Napanook, offering complex notes of currants, cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate. Incredible on the palate, it s full-bodied and round, with supple, vibrant, incredible tannins. This is easily the finest vintage I’ve tasted of this cuv e and it s the equivalent of many a Grand Vin from other producers.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDThe 2021 Napanook, tasted from barrel, is fabulous. Rich, deep and super-expressive, the 2021 captures all the best the vintage has to offer. A whole range of floral and savory overtones lend nuance. This vibrant, intensely mineral Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute delight to taste today, and an especially fine edition of Napanook, endowed with big fruit and equally potent tannins.Vinous Media | 92-94 VM

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Gala Vineyard is fabulous. It emerges from a terraced vineyard at 1,800 feet in elevation in Napa Valley, just above the Coombsville AVA. Rich, dark and beautifully structured, the 2021 possesses notable pedigree and character. Black cherry, plum, gravel, licorice, bay leaf and espresso all race across the palate. Readers who enjoy old-school Napa Cabernets will adore this. This wine, if sold in Napa Valley, would cost four to five times as much. Don’t miss it!Vinous Media | 96 VM

The 2021 Les Pavots is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. It’s a beautiful wine you could drink now or stash in the cellar, with a concentrated, broody yet polished profile. It has pure scents of blueberry liqueur, lilac, cast iron, grilled meats and soy sauce plus hints of wild thyme and truffle. The full-bodied palate offers a structural balance of clay-textured tannins and bright acidity, deriving its power from its sheer depth of dark fruit, and it has a long, detailed finish. 2,769 cases were made, and the Les Pavots will be released in February of 2024.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPThe blackberry and sage character comes through clearly, with some orange blossoms, graphite, dried tomatoes, green tobacco and stone. A rich and juicy red with lots of berry and chocolate character, with a full body and layered rich tannins. It’s flavorful yet hemmed in with firm yet rounded tannins. Muscular. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc, 7% merlot, and 6% petit verdot. This needs four or five years to come together and show its true self. Best after 2028.James Suckling | 97 JS

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Incubo is another fabulous wine from Aaron Pott’s Mount Veeder estate. Inky dark fruit, grilled herbs, leather, incense, licorice and dried flowers power through in this dense, explosive Cabernet Sauvignon.Vinous Media | 97 VMThe 2021 Incubo Cabernet Sauvignon, with 1% Cabernet Franc in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. Scents of blackcurrant jelly, kirsch, wild blueberries, and aniseed leap from the glass with underlying hints of cedar, graphite, and black olives. Full, firm, fine-grained, and bright, the palate shimmers with energy, delivering a long minerally finish.The Wine Independent | 97 TWISo focused, vibrant, layered and lively, with aromas of red fruit, subtle oak spices, currants and mint. Fine-grained tannins embrace the classic black cherry and cassis flavors. A brilliant wine that only needs time to mature and develop more complexity. Best from 2029.James Suckling | 96 JSThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Incubo is brilliant juice, offering a deep purple hue as well as a killer bouquet of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, spring flowers, and damp earth/underbrush-like nuances. I love its complexity and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. Blended with just a splash of Cabernet Franc, drink this classy, impeccably made Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon over the coming two decades.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JD

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard brings a more concentrated, serious feel and offers ripe mulberry and cherry fruit as well as scorched earth, graphite, and minerality, with nicely integrated oak. It’s medium-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with a beautiful mouthfeel. It needs 2-3 years in the cellar (you’d be forgiven for enjoying a bottle today) and will evolve nicely over the following decade.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDHibiscus, crisp red fruit, fennel pollen and lemon peel aromas make for a fresh and lively nose on this single-vineyard expression. The palate lands in broad fashion, with lush flavors of strawberry, more citrus and a pinch of pepper dust. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEThe 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is bright and effusive. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet French oak are nicely lifted. This racy, exuberant Pinot is quite the charmer. It, too, will benefit from a bit of cellaring.Vinous Media | 92 VMA flattering style, with a nice wave of plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, flanked by singed toast, wood spice and licorice accents through the finish. Drink now through 2026. 643 cases made.Wine Spectator | 91 WS

The 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a perfumed powerhouse! Opaque ruby-purple, it has a concentrated core of cassis with touches of tar, thyme, grilled meats, menthol and bitter chocolate. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated with surprising freshness for its style. It has a pleasantly chalky frame and a very long finish replete with violet perfume. This hedonistic Syrah could use another 5+ years in bottle to unwind and will be long-lived in the cellar.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPThe 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of the highlights among the 2021s I tasted from Joey Tensley. Vibrant and driving in feel, the Colson Syrah is endowed with tremendous character. Blue/purplish fruit, gravel, incense, menthol and lavender all take shape as the 2021 shows off its striking beauty. There is so much to look forward to.Vinous Media | 94-96 VMFrom a site located in the hills above Los Olivos, the 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard gives up a dense purple hue as well as notes of jammy blueberries, black cherry liqueur, candied violets, and black pepper. This is a concentrated, medium to full-bodied, powerful Syrah that has terrific tannins as well as good acidity.Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95+ JD