2021 Erikson & Caradin Ivy & Thistle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 2021 Erikson & Caradin Ivy & Thistle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a masterclass in precision winemaking. It embodies everything that makes Napa’s top-tier Cabernets so sought-after—intensity, depth, and refined elegance. With fruit sourced from some of the most coveted vineyards in the region, this is a wine that commands attention and rewards those who appreciate complexity and balance.

A decade ago, Erikson & Caradin started as a passion project, with a few barrels of wine shared among friends and top-tier restaurants. Fast forward, and they’re making waves in Napa, sourcing elite Cabernet parcels from some of the most prestigious regions. They have one mission: to redefine what great Cabernet should be. And let’s just say, they’re succeeding.

Winemaker Kevin Morrisey isn’t just any winemaker. The man has credentials. Chateau Petrus. Stags' Leap. Etude. Ehlers Estate. expertise shines in this bottle, delivering a wine that speaks fluently in the language of Napa terroir.

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."

Crafted with precision, this wine begins its journey in concrete vessels before maturing in a blend of 60% New French Oak and 40% second-use barrels. The result? A harmonious balance of velvety tannins and fruit spice, with a soft yet dynamic profile. Sourced from 60% Atlas Peak and 40% Oakville vineyards, it's a wine of refined elegance and edgy complexity.

Aging: 60% New French Oak and 40% second-use barrels.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. This Cabernet delivers layers of ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum, wrapped in notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and a hint of graphite. The tannins are firm yet polished, giving structure to the wine while allowing a long, luxurious finish with a touch of baking spice and crushed violets.

Lots of red and black fruits, camphor, leather, and some bloody, iron-like nuances emerge from the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Ivy & Thistle, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, nicely textured beauty that has ripe tannins and terrific overall balance. ~93+ Jeb Dunnuck

Aromas of cassis and ripe blackberries with dark chocolate and sweet spices with bark undertones. Full-bodied, deep and creamy with fine, velvety tannins and a long, persistent finish. Attractive now, but better after two or three years. ~92 James Suckling

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