2021 axr 'AxR1' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes:  2021 is a vintage of legacy, with pH levels that were unseen before in Napa-they were low. The lower pH shows a lot of freshness and keeps the wines alive. While the 2021 vintage is not the most voluptuous of vintages, it is classic and Jean equates it to elegance, class, and beauty.

AxR1 is more than just a wine—it reflects our vision of Napa Valley's resilience. Named after the AxR1 rootstock, created by French vintner Victor Ganzin in 1879, it was initially developed to combat the phylloxera epidemic ravaging European vineyards. Though the rootstock eventually failed in the early 1900s, it played a crucial role in the evolution of viticulture. Why name our wine after a failed rootstock? AxR1 represents a turning point—a moment when Napa Valley vintners were challenged to transform adversity into opportunity, shaping the region into what it is today. It symbolizes the resilience, innovation, and enduring spirit of Napa Valley, making it the perfect name for our flagship wine.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Jeb Dunnuck - "The flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon AxR1 comes from a single vineyard and is 100% varietal raised primarily (maybe all) in new French oak. It's a brilliant, majestic Cabernet revealing a dense purple hue as well as a killer nose of cr me de cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, and classy oak. With full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish, it's up with the cr me de la cr me of the vintage. As with most 2021s, it deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will have over two decades of longevity. Score 97+." (12.23)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Sourced from a bevy of top vineyards (Harbison, Sleeping Lady and To Kalon, among others) the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon AXR1 is a blended top-of-the-line cuvée. Ripe and cassis-laden, there are also hints of blueberries and cedar; I detected no green nuances whatsoever. It's full-bodied, concentrated and silky on the palate, with a long, gently tannic finish." (5.24)