Correlation Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Established as an AVA in 1993, Spring Mountain was once described by a prominent wine writer as “more responsible than any other Napa hillside for creating the mystique of mountain grapes.” Due to the rough and varied terrain, vineyards are small and planted to a patchwork of microclimates and soils. Cooler than the valley below (sometimes as much as ten degrees), these vineyards benefit from an extended growing season, with the forbidding soils acting as natural crop thinners. Being on the valley's west side, Spring Mountain is shrouded in redwood trees and thick shrubbery. To discover the estates tucked among the forest grove, you have no choice but to travel the winding road up the mountain. Alternatively, if you don't do well on twisty roads, we're more than happy to do the exploring on your behalf!

Vineyard 7 & 8 is one of the greats of this spectacular neighborhood. In 1999, the Steffens family bought a 40-acre property with just a few acres of established vineyards planted by?Ric Forman and David Abreu. Their wines are brought to life by one of the greatest female winemakers this valley has ever seen - Martha McClellan. Her decades of winemaking are considered legendary by now, and she's more than proven her talents through the wines of Sloan, Checkerboard, Toymaker, and Levy & McClellan. Her mastery knows no bounds, but what we love most about her style is her unmatched ability to create long, silky tannins that feel like velvet across your palate. It's a memorable experience that never ceases to stun us. Thankfully, you can also experience this bliss without the lofty prices that many of her wines carry. Correlation is Martha's best-kept secret, and an unbelievable value under $100!

The 2021 is generous and balanced, showing notes of blackberry compote, dark roast espresso beans, Sichuan pepper, and crème-de-cassis. On the palate, the dense concentration envelops with lush, silky tannins and incredible texture, but in no way overpowering or out of balance. The wine's brightness, coupled by a long, smooth finish, makes it incredibly food-friendly today without much decant.