2021 Arkenstone NVD Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

"One of the highlights of any trip up Howell Mountain is this gem of an estate, named for the fictional jewel famously liberated from Smaug's hoard by Bilbo Baggins. Winemaker Sam Kaplan and his full-time crew of four individuals continue to work magic with the 12-acre vineyard and resulting wines." ~Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2021 vintage of NVD Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in mountain-grown power. Arkenstone, perched high on the western ridge of Howell Mountain, farms some of the most rugged and rewarding vineyard land in Napa Valley. Here, at over 1,400 feet of elevation, the sun reigns supreme, the air is crisp, and the vines work overtime to produce small, intensely concentrated berries. Translation? Massive depth of flavor, finely tuned tannins, and a structure that makes this wine built to last.

Winemaker Sam Kaplan doesn’t do average. He took his first major step into the wine world at Pine Ridge under Gary Andrus, learning winemaking from the ground up. He later refined his craft at ZD Wines, where he worked his way from the bottom to becoming a winemaking force. It was there he met his wife Nancy, a Michelin-starred chef with an impeccable palate. After seven years, he took on the challenge of designing and building Arkenstone from scratch alongside Ron and Susan Krausz.

Under Sam’s guidance, Arkenstone became one of Napa’s most respected boutique wineries, attracting critical acclaim and top-tier collectors. His talent caught the attention of other high-profile projects, leading him to found his consulting business in 2010 and launch Memento Mori’s first vintage to instant success. He later made headlines when two of his wines earned some of the highest bids at Premiere Napa Valley, fetching $130,000 each.

Supporting Sam is Roberto Alfaro, a Napa Valley veteran with a passion for the craft. Roberto began his journey in the vineyards with the legendary David Abreu before moving into winemaking, working with top-tier wineries like The Hess Collection and Caldwell Vineyard. He joined Arkenstone in 2008 as assistant winemaker and has been an integral part of the team ever since, helping to craft wines that stand tall among Napa’s finest.

The 2021 Arkenstone NVD Cabernet Sauvignon is everything you love about Napa Valley, turned up to eleven. It’s bold, refined, and undeniably cool—a bottle worth savoring now or cellaring for years to come.

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. This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with some Mountain Sass. The balance of tannins, minerality, acidity and intense fruit concentration hit all of the notes on the palate and leave you with a satisfyingly long finish. Sourced from vineyards at around 1600 feet of elevation in the Eastern Napa Mountains

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon NVD is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 75% new French oak. It's a rocking base Cabernet that reveals a deep purple hue as well as killer notes of pure creme de cassis, toasted spice, chocolate, and hints of flowers. Ripe and medium to full-bodied, it has remarkable purity, fine tannins, and a great finish. ~94 Jeb Dunnuck

There are 750 cases of Arkenstone's 2021 NVD Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from several locations across Napa Valley. Subtle herb shadings, including wild sage, accent ripe cherries, joined by hints of blueberries and dusty earth. Full-bodied and plush, framed by silky tannins, this is long, vibrant and elegant on the finish. It's a lovely, accessible wine to drink while waiting for the mountain wines to hit their best. ~94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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