Titus Vineyards 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Ehlers Lane Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley

Titus Vineyards 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Ehlers Lane Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley

Item Number: 20967

UPC: 0-747505003487

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Napa Valley
Appellation/AVA: Saint Helena
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Ehlers Lane Vineyard
Vintage: 2021
Grape(s): 87% Cabernet Sauvignon / 9.5% Petit Verdot / 3.5% Malbec
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 14.9
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
pH: 3.8
Soil Type: Rocky and volcanic
Case Production: 1,700

Vineyard Notes: Titus Vineyards' Reserve Cabernet comes from their Estate Ehlers Lane Vineyard which has rocky soil and is planted on a large rock knoll to the north of the winery estate, on the northern boundary of the St. Helena AVA. The volcanic slope and rocky stream bed soils yield small Cabernet Sauvignon berries and concentrated fruit.

Vintage Notes: Late season rains and cool temperatures meant for a slightly later spring with bud break occurring in the third week of March. Even weather throughout the spring allowed for the soils to dry out and flowering to occur unabated with balanced berry set happening across all varieties. June and July provided ideal weather to help the vines catch up a bit and proceed into veraison in early August. The heat of late summer allowed the vineyards to develop deep flavors with rich color in the red varieties. The mid-September harvest dates for the Cabernet Sauvignon allowed the fruit to be expressive, concentrated, and retain its natural acidity, yet softened tannins ideally for building a bold yet integrated wine.

Winemaking Notes: The Cabernet for the 2021 Titus Vineyards Reserve Napa Cabernet was harvested in the 10-day period from September 17th to September 27th. After the fruit was received at the winery, it was destemmed directly to tank where it was fermented for 14 days. At the conclusion of fermentation, the free run wine was drained from tank and racked to barrel. This wine was aged in 85% new French oak barrels for 22 months during which a barrel selection of our favorite barrels produced the blend for the this wine.

Tasting Notes: This wine embodies the depth, concentration, and beauty of the Ehlers Lane vineyard with grace and elegance. A core of blueberry, black currant, mulberry, and warm coffee are rounded out with hints of lilac and maduro wrapper cigar. Inkiness in the glass gives the wine depth and length with rich, finely knit tannins melting to chocolate pot de creme intensity. Creme de cassis and berry tart notes yield to espresso and rich oak on the finish as the palate endures.

Reviews

  • Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 94 (12/26/2023)

    The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Estate Reserve is based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec. It's a touch more focused and linear compared to the Imperatus, but I love the purity and precision in its cr me de cassis, espresso, classy oak, and spicy, floral aromatics. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins and a seamless, layered mouthfeel, as well as ripe tannins, it's going to benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and evolve for 15 years with ease.

  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 94+ (12/29/2023)
    The inky-hued 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Estate Reserve utilizes fruit from a rocky outcropping off Ehler's Lane planted predominantly to clone 337, with a touch of Petit Verdot. Aged in 100% new French oak, it offers up classy notes of pencil shavings, vanilla and mocha alongside black cherries and cassis. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's velvety in texture, with a long, harmonious finish framed by softly dusty tannins. Approachable now, it should be better in five years or so and live for 20 or more.