PRODUCT OVERVIEW/REVIEW:
Vineyard 29 was established in 1989 by Teresa Norton and Tom Paine, whose retirement plans were upended when they realized their newly purchased property was in prime cabernet country. They built a winery and purchased 3 acres outside of the town of Saint Helena that would become their estate vineyard. The winery was purchased by Chuck and Anne McMinn in 2000, who expanded the operation with the acquisition of the Aida vineyard, located 2 miles north of the original property.

The McMinns also built relationships with well-respected growers in AVAs throughout Napa with the goal of crafting wines that expressed the breadth of terroirs and microclimates in the valley. Today's wine is one of the glorious fruits of this massive effort.

Enticing aromas of bing cherry, dried lavender, and roasted coffee beans awake the senses and set the stage for a full-throttled palate of ripe blackberry and both red and black cherries. An undercurrent of seamlessly integrated oak shows itself with notes of cedar, allspice, and sandalwood, adding to the fresh, lifted flavor profile that carries all the way through the lengthy finish. Having amazing energy and verve, this wine is structured to age for decades but also quite drinkable upon release. CRU is always crafted with meticulous attention to detail in Vineyard 29's gravity flow facility, which assures that each vintage is showing beautifully right out of the gate. (winemaker notes)

Check out the press!

93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The delicious 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru is a terrific introduction to the Vineyard 29 style...Black cherries, cassis, and dusty earth notes mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is smooth, velvety, and supple. It even adds hints of chocolate cake and black olives on the finish, each balancing out the other and providing additional complexity." (7/3/24)

91 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru Napa Valley spent 18 months in 65% new barrels, with the rest in once-used oak. Cassis, blueberries, tobacco, and smoky oak notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured 2021 with ripe yet firmer tannins, a terrific sense of freshness and purity, and outstanding balance. This classic, impeccably made Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is well worth seeking out and will evolve for 15+ years." (12/26/23)

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Producer Name: Vineyard 29
Old/New World: New World
Country of Origin: United States
Region: California
Sub-Region: North Coast
Appellation: Napa Valley
Village/Vineyard/Climat: Estate
Quality Designation: AVA
Grape Varietals: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Petite Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec
Vintage: 2021
Product Type: Wine
Wine Style: Fuller Body Red
Winemaker: Keith Emerson
ABV: 14.6%
Pack/Size: 12/750 ml
Container Type: Dark Green Glass Custom Bottle
Closure Style: Natural Cork