2021 Crocker & Starr Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place

From the estate's older vines, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place delivers notes of loamy earth and black cherries, with hints of camphor, vanilla and cedar. It's full-bodied, round, ripe and supple, perhaps with a bit more structure and cellar ability than the RLC bottling. The finish here shines long and harmonious, marked by silky, tea-like tannins.

A wine that ranks with the truly creme de la creme of the vintage, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place is all varietal raised in 100% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a spicy, meaty, incredibly complex 2021 that has ample cassis and darker fruits, some spicy oak and tobacco nuances, full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and just about flawless overall balance and purity. It's a sensationally pure, seamless, compelling Cabernet Sauvignon that deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 20-30 years if well stored. It's a rich yet graceful wine.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place is another highlight in this range. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, mocha, spice and incense are all amplified in this dramatic, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon. This builds beautifully into its resonant, enveloping finish. As a side note, for a winery that farms sustainably, a lighter bottle would be more consistent with that messaging.