2021 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley

Grand Napa Vineyards is located in the heart of Rutherford, near the foot of Mt. St. John in the Mayacamas mountain range. From Grand Napa’s home in Rutherford, Winemaker, Dwight Bonewell, sources fruit from the best vineyards in Napa Valley, including some of its other most prestigious sub-appellations––Diamond Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Oakville, Atlas Peak, and Carneros. Dwight is involved in every step of the winemaking process at Grand Napa because ultimately, it’s the commitment of the winemaker that separates the mediocre wines from the memorable. When you uncork A Grand Napa wine and decant it, when you look at its legs as it clings to your glass, when its fragrance and taste marry as they dance across your palate, and when your delight lingers in its finish, you will have discovered the treasures of Grand Napa Vineyards.

But there is more. Within the Napa appellation are 17 unique sub-appellations, and at its very heart, you will find Rutherford, home of Grand Napa Vineyards. Flanked by the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain Ranges, this small, verdant valley with its chalky, dusty soil and perfect Mediterranean climate produces many of Napa’s most sought-after wines. Extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons and creamy Chardonnays are born here, but Cabernet Sauvignon is king. André Tchelistcheff, the master winemaker who shepherded California into its brilliant new era of winemaking saw the importance of Rutherford this way: “It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” This is the home of Grand Napa Vineyards.

This wine comes from Oakville, a gem of Napa Valley, provides the perfect terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon. Nestled between the Vaca and Mayacamas mountains, this region boasts gravelly, alluvial soils and an ideal climate that brings out the best in the grapes.

2021 is looking to be one of the vintages of the decade. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 95-98 point score, and said: "Two thousand twenty-one is a fabulous vintage in Napa Valley. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that production is down sharply, 30-50% in many cases. The wines have tremendous energy as well as finesse. In tasting, the 2021s show some of the savory intensity of other drought vintages – 2013 and 2014 come to mind – but with more aromatic explosiveness and greater inner sweetness."

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. A beautiful red color. The nose is intense with blueberry, graphite, and vanilla. The palate is elegant and soft with a full body and medium acidity. It has a strong grip and concentration with a long finish.

Fruity and medium-bodied this red has aromas of plums, cherries and frozen raspberries. Subtle and polished with a well-rounded texture and character on the palate and a similar finish. Drink or hold. ~91 James Suckling

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, like most of the offerings from Grand Napa Vineyards, is a bit light in color. Scents of celery seed, ripe cherries, loamy earth and vanilla yield a favorable impression on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and soft, giving the impression of a wine that's ready to drink now, with softly dusty tannins and a touch of mocha on the finish. ~90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate