It's impossible to overemphasize what a miracle year 2021 was in many ways. One huge surprise, and a hidden blessing of the Glass Fire that burned in Simmons canyon above Keneifck Ranch: there were no trees to pull water from the soil, so all the rain that fell in the Winter trickled down into the vineyard. While the irrigation ponds were empty, the dry-farmed vines had plenty to drink, and the full canopy was able to ripen these grapes to perfection. This is a huge, powerful wine, with dense fruit, abundant ripe tannin, effusive aromatics, and that ne plus utra of minerality on top of it all. One of our favorite vintages of Artefact, and one that were so happy to make after not producing a 2020.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artefact, with 4% Petit Verdot in the blend, comes from block 7 of Kenefick Ranch. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with bold notions of black cherry compote, creme de cassis, and Indian spices followed by hints of camphor and licorice. The full-bodied palate delivers fantastic tension and a grainy texture to support the bright, pure black fruit, finishing long with a floral lift. This is gorgeous!
Coming from a site in Calistoga (think northern part of the valley) and a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artefact Kenefick Block 7 has medium to full-bodied, concentrated flavors of red and black fruits, chocolate, leather, and savory herbs. It's beautifully balanced and has terrific tannins along with an undeniable sense of minerality on the finish. It's a killer bottle of wine as well as a relative value in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon! Drink bottles over the coming 15-20 years.
Perfumed and typical nose for this appellatoin of plums, mulberries, violets, burnt thyme, wet stones, bark, undergrowth and baking spices. It’s full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Controlled power with layers. Intense with a textural dimension on the palate and berries, spices and a wise structure intermingling all along. Focused and precise finish with pencil lead and sweet tobacco flavors. Long finish. Well crafted. Try after 2026.
