2021 Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder

Mayacamas Vineyards has occupied its rugged, high-elevation estate on Mt. Veeder since 1889, relying on a historic stone winery and a long-standing commitment to traditional, low-intervention farming. The estate’s vines are planted in shallow, volcanic soils at elevations reaching up to 2,400 feet, where the challenging conditions produce the intensely concentrated fruit used to make this wine. In the glass, it displays a structured, medium-to-full-bodied profile with focused notes of black currant, crushed graphite, and bay laurel supported by fine-grained tannins. The 2021 vintage was marked by significant drought, resulting in low yields and small, deeply flavorful berries that gave the wine unusual intensity and density. With its firm frame and classic balance, this bottle is built for the long-term cellar but possesses the purity to reward those who choose to open it sooner.