2021 Vineyard 36 'The Black Aces' Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley

Great wine isn’t just about grapes—it’s about passion, persistence, and a love for creating something unforgettable. That’s exactly what you’ll find in 2021 'The Black Aces' Cabernet Sauvignon from Vineyard 36. It’s a bold, luxurious Napa Cab that delivers on every level, from the rich, velvety flavors to the story behind the bottle.

At the heart of Vineyard 36 is Keith Emerson, one of Napa Valley’s most accomplished winemakers. With over 20 years of experience, Keith has built a career crafting some of the region’s most celebrated wines. As Director of Winemaking, he doesn’t just oversee the process—he elevates it. Keith’s philosophy balances power and elegance, ensuring every wine he touches reflects the very best of its terroir.

Keith’s résumé reads like a who’s-who of Napa winemaking royalty. He’s spent decades honing his craft with renowned wineries, including Vineyard 29, where he’s Vice President of Winemaking and Viticulture, and Robert Craig Winery.His ability to seamlessly work with both Bordeaux and Burgundian varietals sets him apart, and his dedication to quality is second to none. When Keith joined Vineyard 36, he brought this deep expertise to every bottle, ensuring that wines like 'The Black Aces' are not just good—they’re extraordinary.

Founded by NHL stars —Cam Ward, Tim Gleason, and Jason Earnest— this trio had a vision to create something exceptional, and Keith brought that vision to life. Cam’s journey began with a love for collecting iconic Napa wines like Harlan and Hundred Acre. Tim’s passion grew from exploring cult Cabernets, and Jason’s dream of creating a world-class winery started with his first trip to Napa.

This striking black label is a tribute to the resilience and strength of those who rise to the occasion, just like the Black Aces in hockey—unsung heroes who make a difference when it matters most.

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."

Aging: In French oak barrels (70% new)

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a rich, velvety Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of ripe blackberries, cassis, and a touch of mocha. The smooth tannins and long, luxurious finish are everything you’d expect from a master at the top of his game. Each sip feels like a celebration of Napa’s finest vineyards, perfectly balanced and beautifully crafted.

These beauties are made by the talented Keith Emerson, who has been at Vineyard 36 since 2017. I think there's been a slight tweak in the style of these wines over the past couple of vintages, with the wines slightly more restrained and elegant. The largest production release here (it's still a minuscule 300 cases or thereabouts), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon The Black Aces has beautiful purity in its cassis and darker berry fruits, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a focused, elegant, nicely balanced profile. It reveals more violet, loamy earth, and chocolate notes with time in the glass, and it's going to benefit from just a few years in the cellar and have 15 years of prime drinking. ~94 Jeb Dunnuck

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