Napanook 2021

Certainly the best Napanook bottling I can recall, the 2021 Napanook is a 3,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Boasting harmonious aromas of raspberries, red and black cherries, cinnamon, clove and dusty earth notes, this full-bodied wine tips the scales at a declared 15% alcohol, yet it shows no detectable heat. It is full-bodied, intense, rich and velvety, with hints of black tea on the long finish. Matured in 20% new French oak, it stands out for its lush mouthfeel and savory complexity. (JC, 2/2025)