Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [JD 95] [WS 94, #5 Top 100 of 2024] [TWI 94] [JS 93] [DM 93] [WA 92]

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About the Estate:
The Chimney Rock Estate is blessed with a diversity of soil and topography that breeds complexity in our wines. To the east, our steep hills and shallow soils bring us density and power. On the north end, our proximity to the Palisades gifts us with ripeness and purity of fruit. To the south, our proximity to the bay brings us breezes that add the nuance of cooler climate--adding hints of dried herbs and mint. It is this diversity that has enabled us to represent the quintessence of Stags Leap District--the tension between grace and power, the balance of finesse and muscle. We are delighted to share our 35th vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon: its beauty proclaims we are here to stay.

Tasting Notes:
This Cabernet is abundant with aromas of black currant and cherry, with hints of mocha, vanilla and floral. It is rich and savory with plum and black cherry flavors and hints of dried fig, vanilla, and floral. On the palate this wine is smooth and viscous in the midpalate, full-bodied, and the tannin structure is firm but very polished. Recommend decanting.

Ratings & Reviews:

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District is based on 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and minuscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec that's all from estate fruit in the Stags Leap District. It offers a pure, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant style as well as tons of minerality in its red and black fruits, ripe, building tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a kiss of background oak. I love the overall style of this beauty, which will compete with wines two to three times the price." (Dec 2023)

94 Points, Rank #5 Top 100 Wines of 2024 - Wine Spectator:
"Super lush and polished in feel, with creamy-textured açaí, mulberry and cassis notes gliding through slowly. Laced with alluring hints of violet, iris and anise, this offers a melted licorice note on the finish, but the fruit wins out easily. Drink now through 2037." - James Molesworth (Jun 2024)

94 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 SLD Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 0.5% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Malbec in the blend. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up expressive notes of blackberry pie, warm cassis, and preserved plums leading to wafts of bay leaves, black olives, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate has impressive energy, with firm, grainy tannins and nice tension framing the vibrant black fruits, finishing long and pure." - LPB (Nov 2023)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Attractive aromas of blackcurrants, walnuts, spiced cedar and black olives. Full and creamy yet polished and sleek with bright fruit and fine, slightly chewy tannins. Chalky finish." (Sep 2023)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Fragrant and ripe cherry fruit is laced with ironstone minerality and charged with dizzying wild herbs and dried spring flowers. Medium-bodied with a dirth of firm, taut tannins that support a panoply of crunchy red fruit, spiced plums, and elegant cedarwood. Aged 18 months in 50% new French Oak rounded out with tiny splashes of Petit Verdot and Malbec." - Jonathan Cristaldi (May 2024)

92 Points - Wine Advocate: 
"Chimney Rock's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District is pretty textbook stuff, delivering black cherries and cassis dusted in dried earth and mixed spices. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and fine, not overpowering but rather elegant, with a long, lingering finish." - Joe Czerwinski (Dec 2023)