2021 Ellman Family Cabernet Sauvignon Elaine
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
A tiny barrel selection that's only made in top vintages, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Elaine is incredible stuff, although it's not for the instant gratification crowd either. Inky hued, with powerful, medium to full-bodied, concentrated aromas and flavors of cassis, graphite, spicy oak, and subtle pen ink, it has perfectly integrated tannins and acidity, a ripe, layered mouthfeel, and the structure and depth that makes the 2021 vintage so compelling. Do your best to hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can, and it's going to have 30+ years of overall longevity.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Two barrels from the estate were held back for extended aging and constitute the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Elaine, named for the owning brothers' mom. Matured in 100% new French oak for 30 months, it features a gently earthy nose punctuated by black cherries and mossy oak. Full-bodied in the mouth, it's dense and powerful, with a velvety texture on the palate. Tannic but ripe, this just needs a bit more time to knit together, but given its long, softly dusty finish, it surely will.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Elaine is a selection of the best barrels in the cellar that also sees more time in oak. All of these wines are already pretty heady, so I am not sure the added time in barrel adds anything to a wine like this. Black cherry, dark chocolate and espresso build in this ample, rich, full-bodied Cabernet. The 2021 is deep and potent to its core.