2021 Tierra Roja Cabernet Sauvignon
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The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was a touch hard to read and I kept coming back to it throughout the day. It's a big, rich, concentrated, full-bodied effort that shines on the palate and has a singular, savory perfume of red and black plums, leather, baked earth, and iron. I thought it lacked freshness right on opening, yet this improved with air. It’s just a rich, mineral-laced, savory effort that's going to benefit from a solid 4-5 years of bottle age. It's gorgeous on the palate.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
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Located in eastern Oakville, Tierra Roja has been a quiet source of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon. Its 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, the first made by consulting winemaker Benoit Touquette, is all Cabernet Sauvignon, matured in 75% new French oak. There's a subtle vanilla underpinning to the nose, which cascades forth black cherries and red raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, it's svelte and velvety on the palate, gracefully concealing considerable tannic clout until the long, dusty-textured finish. It reflects the concentration and intensity of the vintage, beautifully tamed into a wine that's nearly approachable now but that should also age effortlessly for close to 20 years. With only 250 cases made, it's pretty much a mailing-list wine, although it is available through some select restaurant partners (and on the secondary market from time to time).