2021 001 Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard comes from Ecotone, the old Thorevilos vineyard, and is based on 85.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.3% Cabernet Franc, and 3.4% Petit Verdot that was co-fermented with a long 30- to 40-day maceration and aged 20-22 months in 60% new French oak. Gorgeous ripe black fruits, black olive, tobacco, chocolate, and leafy herbal notes define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a concentrated, layered profile, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This has the depth, structure, and balance to age for decades and is easily a 40-year wine. Drink 2030-2070. 001 Vintners is the project of Jack Bittner and focuses on the Ecotone Vineyard, formerly known as Thorevilos. Jack took over management of the Ecotone Vineyard when David Abreu and Ric Forman's long-term lease ended, and he quickly brought in Graeme MacDonald to lead the winemaking from this new label. Ecotone is a cooler, elevated vineyard about 400 feet above Meadowood on the eastern side of St. Helena, planted entirely on white volcanic tuff. Home to mature vines now approaching four decades of age, the vineyard is divided between a steep, terraced western-facing block and a flatter upper section. MacDonald consulted Brad Grimes, who had worked with this fruit for many years at Abreu, to help guide the early block selections and vineyard decisions. While production remains limited, I hope the notes for this report give a clear picture of what this site is capable of.