2021 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, USA (750ml)

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:

Dark to the rim of the glass, the 2021 Cabernet has an intoxicating perfume of ripe plum and black cherry, graham cracker, crème brûlée, and cassis. The creamy texture is flawless with tannin and acid in perfect harmony. What the 2021 vintage lacked in yield, it utterly compensated for in quality. This wine is both handsomely built for the cellar and a challenge to not enjoy in its youth.

Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec

TASTING NOTES:

The classic 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from this reference point estate checks in as 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec raised 22 months in once-filled oak and neutral oval botti. Its vivid purple hue is followed by a perfumed, youthful bouquet of cassis and blue fruits that give way to more graphite, chalky minerality, violets, and spicy oak. It's deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a gorgeous mid-palate, ripe, building, polished tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. Rating: 97+

- Jeb Dunnuck 97 pts. 

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is intense, smoldering up with a dark blend of blackcurrants, crushed rocks, hints of graphite and sage. This is cool-toned and crisp, with crunchy red and black fruits that cascade across the palate as a saturation of primary concentration adds inner tension. A web of fine-grained tannins penetrates deeply, yet the 2021 maintains a fresh persona, tapering off long, staining and truly classic. A mineral tinge lingers on the finish.

- Vinous, 96 pts. 

This is an elegant red with aromas ranging from dried earth, sage and black olives to mulberries, mocha and peaches. It’s medium- to full-bodied, silky and refined, with firm yet seamless tannins. 81% cabernet sauvignon 7% petit verdot, 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 3% malbec. 

- James Suckling, 95 pts. 

Made with the addition of 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, the 2021 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a broad, structured and generously layered wine. It exhibits a full-bodied and complex profile with juicy freshness, fine-grained tannins and a dusty essence of dark red and black fruits. Ending with a plummy finish, this wine promises to evolve and drink even better in the coming years.

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 pts. 

Impressive for its detailed structure and polished texture, this red offers robust black cherry and red currant flavors highlighted by mocha espresso and allspice tones as this ends with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 2,941 cases made.

- Wine Spectator, 94 pts.