Antinori Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Townsend Vineyard" 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [JD 93]

About This Wine:
Antica is an Antinori Family estate in the Napa Valley. The family's winemaking heritage dates back 26 generations and over 600 years in Italy. Antica represents Antinori California, and fulfills the family's longstanding desire to produce beautiful wines in Napa Valley.

Set in the northwest corner of the estate is a 40-acre parcel of land purchased in 1998 from longtime friend and neighbor, Mrs. June Townsend. The Antinori family planted 24 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon there in 1999 and named it Townsend Vineyard in tribute.

Townsend Vineyard is planted high on the ridge of the upper Rector Canyon watershed. The soil is made up of Pliocene volcanic, mainly of andesite and basalt rocks. Townsend Vineyards architecture is derived from the Antinori vineyard philosophy in Tuscany. All planting decisions were based on row direction (east to west) to attain the best sun exposure; high density vine spacing (2,233 vines per acre) to achieve low fruit yield per vine; and selection of rootstocks and clones best suited to the land and climate to ensure ideal fruit expression.

96 Points - James Suckling:
"A perfumed and refined nose of cherries, raspberries and plums with some violets and mild spices. Medium to full body with fine, firm tannins which give structure to the intense mid-palate full of spices and wild currants. Layered and textured. Give it time. Try after 2026." - (Jul 2024)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Townsend is cut from the same cloth, with a concentrated, focused, elegant, classic style. Cassis, crushed stone, graphite, and a kiss of flowers all emerge on the nose, and it has beautiful purity and elegance, with medium to full-bodied richness on the palate. It brings slightly more mid-palate depth compared to the Cabernet Franc, as well as ripe, building tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It's going to age beautifully." - (Dec 2023)