Description

Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

In 2021, Napa Valley received only about one-third of our average rainfall, which showed in the vineyards. The vines were stressed, and yields were extremely low. While this isn’t good for business, it’s great for wine quality. The grapes were small, and the flavors were highly concentrated, which allowed us to craft wines of great intensity and depth. And with the deft hands of our winemaking team, we were able to maintain focus, precision, elegance, and beauty in these wines.

Fermentation and Aging

The Estate grapes were cold soaked for 4–5 days to coax out more color while maintaining velvety tannins. The grapes were then fermented to a maximum temperature of 94°F. The wines were drained off the skins after a total maceration of 8–10 days and racked to barrel to undergo malolactic fermentation and aging. This wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, 78% of which were new, using primarily Sylvain, Taransaud, Cavin, and Nadalie coopers. The cooperage is a blend of medium, medium-plus, and heavy toast barrels from a variety of forests, adding layers and aromatic complexity to the wine. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled after 20 months of aging.

Impressions

The shortage of rainfall in 2021 led to high-stress growing conditions for our vines. The resulting grapes were small and concentrated, giving us wines with great concentration, intensity, and structure. The nose of the 2021 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon leads with juicy fruits, black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry jam, and muddled mixed berries. The fruit is layered with fresh mint, sage, and iron filings. These aromas are complemented by warming spices, vanilla, and cocoa nib. The palate has a beautiful, velvety texture with plush tannin and an enduring finish with impressions of espresso and dark chocolate.

Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Deep, inky ruby color with purple highlights
• AROMA: Layered aromas of juicy black cherry, boysenberry, and blackberry jam, interwoven with fresh mint, sage, and subtle iron-like minerality, alongside warming spice, vanilla, and cocoa nib notes
• TASTE: Lush and velvety, delivering rich dark fruit framed by plush yet structured tannins, with hints of espresso and dark chocolate adding depth
• FINISH: Long and powerful, echoing ripe berries, fine spice, and mocha that linger gracefully
• ABV: 15.4%