2021 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

From just the third crop off these vines—and the first to come to Myriad—Mike Smith has made a mighty impressive debut effort. His 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard offers plenty of dried spices and earthy loam on the nose, backed by red and black cherries. It's full-bodied, ripe and velvety but also impressively fresh, bright and long. Mike and Leah Smith's own Myriad label seems to be going from strength to strength, although Mike sounded a bit of a cautionary note when I tasted with him last summer. "In 2021, it felt like the whole valley was in the zone, unlike 2022 or what we might see this year," he said. Bargain hunters will want to search out the blended Napa Valley Cabernet and Myriad's various Syrah bottlings (largely sourced from Bennett Valley) as alternatives to the high-priced single-vineyard wines.

Another barrel sample that got a big "wow" in the notes was the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, which comes from a newer block of younger vines. Inky hued, with a killer nose of cassis, flowery incense, camphor, espresso, and chocolate, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and ripe, sweet tannins. Its purity of fruit is something to behold.