Accendo Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Exclusive new Cabernet from the former owners of Napa's Araujo WInery.  One of Napa's best new cabs. 100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted out of bottle, and it might be the best yet. Deeply hued, it has an incredible array of black and blue fruits as well as leafy herbs, bouquet garni, graphite, and spicy oak that builds with time in the glass. Rich and full-bodied, it has a great mid-palate and incredible tannins." 99 Points Decanter: "Bart and Daphne Aurajo established Accendo Cellars after selling their Araujo Estate (now Eisele Vineyard) to the Artemis Group. In 2021, they passed the torch to second-generation partners Jaime and Greg Araujo. Grapes are sourced from Vine Hill Ranch in Oakville, Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, Eco Tone (a former Abreu property) above the Meadowood estate, and a site on Diamond Mountain formerly known as Reverie. Winemaker Nigel Kinsman says the idea is to express Napa Valley Cabernet through the lens of exceptional vineyard sites. It also allows him to experiment with other varieties to combine a seamless wine year to year. Agee 22 months in roughly 70% new French oak. A solid wine showing the dynamic structure of a vintage that produced smaller yields, deep concentration, and powerful tannins, which Kinsman has refined in this bottling, as they are intricate, linear, super-fine, and seamless. Pure red berry fruit tones leap from the glass, nuanced by sagebrush, earth, and dried spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied with compact black cherry, blackberry, and plum fruits laced with brown baking spices and a long, mineral-infused finish redolent of graphite and wet slate. An exceptional showing, balancing the intensity of the vintage with noticeable freshness. Best from 2025." 98 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of total and exquisite finesse. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, mocha, spice, new leather and rose petals. The 2021 has the highest amount ever of Cabernet Franc (22%), and that really comes through in the wine's aromatic and flavor profile. By far the most elegant and understated wine yet from Accendo, I can't wait to see how the 2021 ages. It appears to have a brilliant future." As a reminder to readers, Accendo Cellars is Bart and Daphne Araujo’s new project, following the incredible success and eventual sale of Araujo Estate, now known as Eisele Vineyard, in 2013. They decided to take inspiration from another era in Napa’s rich history—that of the mid-twentieth century, when blending wines from vineyards throughout the valley was the norm. The Araujos explained that Accendo Cellars is about getting back to “old style Napa.” They are aiming to achieve wines of restraint and elegance and have this year selected to work with several vineyards, including Sleeping Lady, Vine Hill Ranch and Ecotone (formerly known as Abreu's Thorevilos vineyard). The 2018 vintage is beautifully captured in this lineup, revealing the freshness, subtle nuances and natural poise this vintage wants to give."

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