We welcome the 2021 vintage releases. The weather was warm with record heat that challenged our growers in many ways but in the end the results are incredible. This vintage show very distinct profiles highlighted by concentrated fruit and flavors that I find quite thrilling.
2021 Right Blend
The nose is rich, with pronounced, flowing out of the glass, notes of dark cherry, raspberry compote, rich dark fruit, earthy notes and hints of cracked pepper corns.
The palate is dark and rich, with layers of dark cherry, raspberry compote, and dark cassis. The tannins are silky, but evident in the structure, with spicy pepper notes finishing off. The palate has some mouthwatering acidity. The finish is long and lingering and really calls you back for another sip. This wine is promising a long life in your cellar but it will be difficult to leave it alone. I really couldn’t put the glass down as I wrote this note.
$40
67% Merlot
33% Cabernet Franc
100% Red Mountain
14.5% alcohol
Bottled June 2022
2021 Left Blend
This year’s Left Blend requires significant air exposure in order to start showing its pedigree. For now, I recommend 2-4 hours. It will still be better on day 2!
Nose is lovely with aromatic complexity that pours from the glass in waves of dark spicy fruit that continue to evolve as you are drawn back again and again to study its complexity.
Palate showed layers of spicy dark fruit with layered complexity and a long dry finish that shows significant Red Mountain tannin structure. I get dark plum, blackberry compote, dark rich cherry and hints of peppercorns with a lovely citrus note to add extra complexity.
Like the famous first growth Chateau Haut Brion in Bordeaux this wine has a significant Merlot component that really adds some depth and breadth to the flavor profile.
The acidity is mouthwatering and the finish long and complex. The tannins are prominent but nicely rounded. This will be hard to keep in the cellar but if you do I promise you a well stored bottle will reward a decade or more of cellar time.
$50
100% Red Mountain
50% Cabernet Sauvignon
40% Merlot
10% Cabernet Franc
14.5% Alcohol
2018 Ciel de Cheval – limited availability
2018 was a picture perfect vintage at this great vineyard. The results speak for themselves. Rich dark fruit – dark cherry, cassis, spice notes, lots of Red Mountain tannins. It is layered with flavors that unwind gracefully on your palate and linger for ages. This wine immediately brings you back for another sip long before it has faded as you enjoy its long lingering flavors of dark choke cherry with a touch of vanilla and spice..
$50
50% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Cabernet Franc
25% Merlot
100% Red Mountain
100% Ciel de Cheval Vineyard
14.5% alcohol
Bottled June, 2020
2022 Sauvignon Blanc
2022 was a picture perfect year for white wine on Red Mountain. The wine is crisp with lovely citrus notes, the Sauvignon Blanc was beautiful this year and stands on its own for a crisp but complex wine. It was left on the lees for 7 months to develop some lovely complex layers of flavor and has a nice acid backbone and crisp finish. This wine pairs well with food and has become a favorite in our house paired with pan fried catfish or herb roasted chicken.
$22
100% Sauvignon Blanc
100% Red Mountain
100% Artz Vineyard
12.5% alcohol
Bottled February 2023
2021 96 Cedars®Red Wine
This wine is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to which we added a touch of Malbec for added spice and complexity.
The nose starts out with rich dark fruit, a floral element and some nice interesting spice notes. Allowing this wine to open up (and it does need time!) will bring depth and structure to complement the rich, dark fruit. The palate is rich, and full with dark plum, rich cherry, blackberry liquor, vanilla, and spice all show up for your enjoyment. The finish is dark, smooth and very, very long. This wine has really amazing fruit and will really shine with your favorite protein.
$27.
25% Merlot
43% Cabernet Sauvignon
22% Cabernet Franc
6% Petit Verdot
4% Malbec
100% Red Mountain
14.2% alcohol
Bottled May, 2023
2019 Auclair Heart of the Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Heart of the Hill vineyard is starting to become well known and for good reason. Scott Williams of Kiona, farms this vineyard. We always give this wine added bottle rest to settle down in the bottle but after 3 years in bottle it still requires a nice decant or a long sleep in your cellar to show its best. This vineyard is a special place on Red Mountain. The fruit has become renown by winemakers and drinkers alike.
The nose shows dark fruit, restrained oak notes and is just a joy to sit and sniff and will keep bringing you back as the scents evolve.
The palate is silky smooth, dark, tannic but without harsh edges, very rich and densely flavored (typical of 2018 vintage) and quite long on the finish. The acidity is just right and assists in providing structure and flavor that will improve with age. The finish is long and silky.
This wine drinks so well now it will be hard to keep your hands off it but I promise it will improve with age.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Red Mountain
100% Heart of the Hill Vineyard
14.5% alcohol
Bottled June, 2021
2019 Auclair Artz Vineyard Syrah
The Syrah was co-fermented with 3% Viognier to add aromatic lift and that certainly succeeded as the nose on this wine is nicely lifted and quite nice. The Cabernet Sauvignon was added for additional complexity and roundness.
The nose shows nice lift and depth. Dark floral notes, white pepper spice, brambly raspberry and dark cherry all combine to show some complexity and depth and bring you back to sniff again.
The palate starts off smooth, with rich dark fruit and lite pepper spice –dark, rich, raspberry, some umami flavors to add complexity, all make this an interesting and complex wine . This wine immediately brings you back for another sip long before it has faded into its long lingering finish.
This wine is capable of a decade or more of aging and will drink beautifully for quite a while.
$35
87% Syrah
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
3% Viognier
100% Red Mountain
13% alcohol
Bottled May, 2021
2019 Auclair Cabernet Franc
Once in a blue moon the Cabernet Franc demands its own wine. This was one of those vintages. This wine sings once it opens up, with notes of complex spice, violets, and dark cherry fruit. The palate is rich and smooth with a touch of that signature Cab Franc herbaciousness that we all love.
This wine is capable of a decade or more of aging and will drink beautifully for quite a while. We recently opened some 2013 Cab Franc and proved out the age-ability of this wine as the 2013 was still not peaking!
$35
75% Cabernet Franc
25% Merlot
100% Red Mountain
13.5% alcohol
Bottled May, 2021
The Old Vines Series
We have been searching Red Mountain to discover hidden gems and are now working with the oldest blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot on the mountain. Old vines are the wise and experienced vines. They have seen it all and now know it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality and the grapes show it. There is just another level that these older vines reach once they’ve reached 40 years old. In Bordeaux, the first growth chateaus don’t use any vines younger than 40 to make their top wines. These wines are always limited production and the very best I make.
Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon
Kiona Vineyard Original plantings from 1975/76
This is Cabernet Sauvignon in all it’s elegant glory. Rich, layered, complex but not at all in your face screaming for attention. Instead it invites you in to seduce your palate with its beauty and charm. You will find the glass empty and wonder how that happened and remember the experience long after it’s gone.
Old Vine Merlot
Kiona Vineyard Original plantings from 1975/76
Merlot that will leave you wondering why you ever loved any other grape. The structure, complexity and shear joy in drinking this wine will convert you to Merlot if you don’t already love this noble grape. My first wine in 2008 was a Merlot and I’ve loved it for years. This wine takes it to the next level.
You must be logged in to post a comment.