Swanson Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Rutherford - Napa Valley

Tasting Notes: An age worthy classic, this wine will continue to reveal it's myriad layers of complexity over the next 20 years. For now, a dusty, deep opaque purple in the glass, displaying aromas of wild sage, dark cherry, violet and cassis. The tannins are firm and support the intense mid palate of fruit in this wine. The acidity is dialed back, so as not to accentuate the tannins, it provides and backbone to wine, giving freshness to each sip. The flavor profile starts with a dried herb note, moving into ripe dark plum before heading in another direction towards cigar box and cedar, interesting, complex and highly enjoyable.

Winemaker Notes: There are two blocks that constantly produce deep and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s about 15 years difference in when the two blocks were planted and so the wine making team, (with no originality) refer to them as young block and old block. They often get picked about a week apart, with the young block first to ripen, coming off first around the last week of September. We ferment them separately but nearly always blend them together as they compliment one another beautifully. Hand picked and then berry sorted at the winery, they are fermented in large stainless steel tanks before being pressed off to barrel where they under-go malolactic fermentation and rest for a further 18 months in 50% new French oak. The resulting wine shows all the trademarks of what has made this appellation famous. Powerful dusty tannins, dark fruit, rich mouth feel and great length and complexity. Built to last this is definitely one for extended aging in the cellar.