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In the Napa Valley, Cabernet is King. Nevertheless, variations in microclimate, topography, and soils around the valley produce distinct expressions of this noble grape. The Oak Knoll AVA features cooler summers than “upvalley” because the fog can linger into late morning. It might almost be too cool for Cabernet but for the gravelly soils that keep the grapes warm at night. These conditions endow Trefethen Cab with elegance – lovely dark berry fruit, spice and savory notes, firm tannins, acidity, and structure. Lower alcohol than many a Napa Cab makes it especially meal-friendly. The 2021 is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Merlot. The winery notes the wine is “bright on the palate; concentrated cherry flavors are layered with softer notes of vanilla and forest floor. This wine pairs well with fatty dishes, which will highlight its fine-grained tannins and herbal notes.” They recommend roasted dishes and grilled or braised red meats.
A family-owned producer of distinguished estate wines for over 50 years, Trefethen Family Vineyards has always been guided by a unique dedication to sustainable farming, thoughtful winemaking and gracious hospitality. The majority of Trefethen’s nearly 600 acres are found on the Main Ranch Vineyard, located in Oak Knoll – about midway between Yountville and Napa – a cooler district in the southern half of the Napa Valley. The other property is the Hillspring Vineyard, on the low foothills of the mountains just to west of Oak Knoll. Trefethen produces mainly Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Riesling. However, it farms a total of nine grape varieties, the others being Malbec, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Pinot Noir. (The other varieties are either used for blending, released in special bottlings or sold to other wineries).
Eugene Trefethen, an engineering company executive, purchased the historic, but run-down property in 1968 as a post-retirement hobby. When his son, John, suggested replanting the vineyards and founding an estate winery, the idea was considered foolhardy at best. Back then, the Napa Valley was an isolated community with more prune and walnut orchards than vineyards, and only 20 wineries were in existence. But the estate happened to feature a standing winery building from an earlier era, which added credence to the idea that wine would be both history and future. As it turned out, John and his wife, Janet, caught the new Napa winemaking wave, and their energy propelled Trefethen Family Vineyards into becoming one of the top new wineries of the 1970s. Indeed, in 1979 the 1976 Trefethen Chardonnay was declared “The Best Chardonnay in the World” at the Gault Millau Wine Olympics held in Paris.
Since the mid-2000s, the third generation of Trefethens, John and Janet’s children, Hailey and Lorenzo, have taken charge. 50 years has given this family an intimate understanding of their vineyards, from the soils and microclimates of the various blocks to the varietals, the clones and the rootstock. With this knowledge, they can continue to create new blends and reserve wines made from superior blocks of the very best vines and build on a legacy of estate grown wines of remarkable quality and integrity.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Napa Valley |
| Sub-Ava | Oak Knoll District |
| Winery | Trefethen |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Color | Red |
| Varietal(s) | 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 8.0 x 30.5 |
| Case Size | 32.5 x 25.0 x 31.5 |
| Alcohol | 13.9% |
| Product Code | TR21NCB |
| UPC | 013024170017 |
95 points – GOLD Decanter World Wine Awards 2024; 92 points – James Suckling; 91 points – Wine Advocate.
Aromas of cassis and blackberries play with notes of black pepper, anise, coffee bean, mocha, and violets. Bright on the palate, concentrated cherry flavors are layered with softer notes of vanilla and forest floor.
The wine aged for 18 months in 53% new oak.