Wine Stags Leap District
2021 RIV Cabernet Sauvignon
Drawing dense concentration from an exceptionally dry year in Napa Valley, the 2021 is sultry and powerfully structured without being overbearing. Its brooding, deep violet core belies a freshness on the nose—black cherry, lavender, and vanilla, which reveal depths of black licorice and baking spice with some time in the decanter. Blackberry preserves and bright acidity headline the palate, with flourishes of savory herbs, dark chocolate, warm earth, and bell pepper, all interlaced with plush, fine-grained tannins.
The Vineyard
The RIV 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two of the Regusci vineyard’s most coveted plots: Block 1 and Block 3. At the foot of the Eastern Hillside, Block 1 is streaked with well-draining volcanic soils and strewn with rocky outcroppings, while Block 3 sits farther down, right at the confluence of volcanic and ancient alluvial soils. Thomas Rivers Brown and Matt Hardin selected these blocks for the remarkable opulence and complexity of their wines, and they deliver year after year.
The Winemaker
To list all of Thomas Rivers Brown’s accolades might fill this entire page. He’s crafted numerous 100-point wines, consulted at elite estates, and is one of the most prolific, sought-after winemakers in Napa Valley. But more than that, his Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings are always flat-out stunning—simultaneously refined, nuanced, and incredibly true to their origins. Take his coveted expertise, combine it with this kind of incomparable terroir, and the results speak for themselves.
The Appellation
The smallest sub-appellation in Napa Valley, Stags Leap earned near-mythic status at the Judgement of Paris, and hasn’t stopped producing velvety, elegantly complex Cabernet since. The diverse mix of volcanic and alluvial soils, plus drastic diurnal temperature swings, produce a fine balance of richness and energy in the wines. This is Napa Valley at its plushest and most intricate.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Stags Leap District
Barrel Aging: 100% French oak, 85% new, 20 months
