Annulus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

We live the good life here in Napa Valley and are exceptionally grateful for the bounty we receive daily. Our tightly-knit community is built on hospitality, and there is no greater pleasure than sharing our wines with neighbors and friends. We love joining together at the table to open exceptional bottles from both near and far and enjoy a meal made from the beautiful produce and goods grown and made here, along with stimulating conversation. Deann Wright and Luke Evnin fell head over heels for Napa Valley's easy living in the two decades they've lived in Rutherford, despite not working in the wine industry. Their research science careers kept them busy as they worked to fund and promote programs to eradicate cancer and autoimmune diseases. Yet, the inkling to create a wine brand of their own always remained in the distance, a far-off dream that finally came to fruition in 2019 with the launch of Annulus Cellars. Luke and Deann selected the name Annulus, which means "ring" in Latin, to honor the natural cycle of life in the vineyard, from bud break and veraison to harvest and dormancy. In addition to this cycle, the circle motif signifies the many tables where the vintners came together with neighbors, mentors, and friends to share and celebrate Napa.

Throughout the years, Luke and Deann forged friendships around those plentiful tables with some of Napa's renowned vintners, growers, and winemakers. They had a front-row seat to the musings of our industry's best minds and, through osmosis, garnered the world-class knowledge not afforded to most vintners starting on a winemaking journey. Additionally, they developed their palates and established preferences for specific vineyards in the valley. Luke & Deann recruited the famed duo of Nigel Kinsman and Michel Rolland to lead the winemaking team. The combined talents of their partnership have graced stellar brands such as Bella Oaks, Impensata, and Accendo. Luke and Deann sought their deft hands to bring the Annulus vision to life by crafting exceptional wines with a strict sense of place and time.

Their 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon marries fruit from heritage vineyard sources throughout the valley, with the majority of lots coming from Stags Leap District and old vines on Diamond Mountain. The fruit was in impeccable condition as it was harvested before the significant rainfall at the end of the season. Nigel included a touch of Petit Verdot in the blend to increase complexity and aged the wine for 21 months in French oak from three different coopers. The resulting Cabernet reveals lush blueberries, black plums, and dusty sage aromas. Round, supple tannins fill the palate, and flavors of Castelvetrano olive and sweet tobacco linger through the finish. Only 217 cases produced!