Cathiard Vineyard - Founding Brothers Red Wine 2021 (750ml)

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Price: $234.99

Producer	Cathiard Vineyard
Country	United States
Region	Napa Valley
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Vintage	2021
Sku	117086
Size	750ml
ABV	13.90%

Cathiard Vineyard Description

Winemaker Notes

A wine with depth and concentration displaying the true character of Rutherford dust, Founding Brothers is produced exclusively with estate grapes to capture the singularity of this unique terroir.

Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc

Professional Ratings

98 Decanter
The 2021 Founding Brothers is the flagship red from Napa Valley's Cathiard Vineyard, crafted from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, all from vines aged 20-30 years and aged 18 months in mostly medium toast Transais French oak barrels. Exquisite red florals lead the way on this nicely aromatic red, nuanced by savoury wild herbs and pops of liquorice and earth. The palate fruit is on the velvety side, with a medium body feel, great freshness, and a deep vein of ironstone minerals that last through a minute-long finish. That fruit is wonderfully pure and expressive—evoking spiced plums, cherries, and pomegranate—with tannins that feel intricate and super-fine, all woven together nicely and creating a smooth expression throughout.
96 James Suckling
This is a very transparent and aromatic wine with flowers, currants and citrus character. Some pine needles. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine and caresses your palate. Very fine and beautiful. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Better in two or three years but gorgeous now. Drink or hold.
96 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Founding Brothers is brilliant and has a certain Saint Julien-like style in its pure cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, and floral aromas and flavors. These carry to a full-bodied 2021 that's beautifully concentrated, has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and one great finish. This comes from an incredible terroir and is based on 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc. It's slightly more accessible than the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for just as long, given its beautiful balance and harmony.
95 Vinous
The 2021 Founding Brothers is seriously impressive. Dark, pliant and explosive, with real depth, the 2021 is hugely promising. The intensity, substance and resonance here all suggest a superb wine in the making.
Barrel Sample: 92-95
93 Wine Spectator
Dark and winey, offering deliciously steeped boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors laced with hints of tobacco, charcoal, bay and menthol through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2038. 1,250 cases made.