2021 Leonetti Mill Creek Upland
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Single Vineyard Series Mill Creek Upland is understated in the glass, floral and delicate, with pretty rose and lavender tones giving way to hints of wet stone. This mixes savory and sweet with a core of tart red berry fruits and mineral tones contrasted by a flourish of confectionary spice. The 2021 tapers off with tremendous length, displaying brawny tannins elevated by a bump of residual acidity and sour citrus tones. Readers will have to be patient.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Mill Creek Upland Vineyard, which is all varietal, offers a Saint-Julien-like perfume of pure cassis, crushed stone, graphite, and lead pencil. This carries to a richly textured, structured, tannic wine that has plenty of mid-palate depth, gorgeous purity, and a great, great finish. It's not for the instant gratification crowd, however, and it will need 4-5 years of bottle age.
Layered with notes of brown baking spices, blackberry jus and dark cherry compote, the 2021 Mill Creek Upland Vineyard Red Wine is a big, juicy and dark-fruited delight. The nose reveals a complexity of aromas, including resinous purple flowers. Full-bodied and firm, the palate presents gripping tannins that, while currently tight, are expected to loosen over time. This reveals a myriad of succulent and juicy black-fruited notes, leading to a long, lingering finish. Anticipated to come into its own next year, this beauty is poised to be food-friendly for years to come. It spent nearly two years aging in 100% new French oak barrels and is slated for release later this summer. Production is limited to just 720 bottles.
A firm, intense and focused cabernet showing aromas of hot cocoa, hazelnuts, black currants, black cherries and cedar. Full-bodied and powerful, with drive and intention. Solid tannin frame. Needs a couple of years. 100% cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2026.