Schrader Wappo Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

This vintage offered redemption from the devastation of 2020 and had all of the elements of a classic Napa Valley vintage. Throughout the harvest, Thomas was exceptionally impressed with the concentration and colour of the fruit. The dedication and diligence of the vineyard team is testament to the quality of the fruit. The vintage was hard at times, wildly variable and marked by lingering drought and some unseasonable and sustained periods of high temperatures. These challenges led to an ideal environment for the vines to produce low yields of small, intensely flavoured berries that achieved peak ripeness and marked complexity. The hallmarks of the vintage, the balance of power and poise are showcased in 2021.

Wappo Hill Vineyard, located in the Northern end of the Stags Leap District, was first planted in 1969. We source our Cabernet Sauvignon from blocks grown on a hillside in well-drained, gravelly, and clay loam soils. Ample afternoon sun, bookended by cool mornings and evenings, produce intensely flavoured fruit with exceptionally balanced acidity.

97 Pts. "A release that was first produced in 2019, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Wappo Hill Vineyard comes from a site in the Stags Leap District and is all Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in mostly new French oak. Red and black currants, iron, white flowers, candle wax, and spicy notes all emerge from this full-bodied, concentrated yet vibrant, fresh, focused 2021 that has plenty of ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and one incredible finish. It's going to age beautifully. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck