2021 Cathiard Family Estate Cathiard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | , |
| Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2027 - 2047 |
Description
The Cathiard family, owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, joined the club of Bordeaux winegrowers based in California. The estate was founded in 1885 by two brothers from Scotland, James and William Rennie. The estate changed hands after Prohibition and again in the 1970s, until it was purchased by the Cathiard family in 2020. The cultivation of the vines and the production of the wines are carried out according to the same values as at Château Smith Haut Lafitte: a deep respect for nature and its beauty, meticulous work on the vines, and traditional know-how that plays a key role in innovation. This estate, located in Rutherford, boasts 25 hectares of vineyards.
Cathiard Vineyard, located in the Rutherford and St. Helena AVAs, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, where winemakers have cultivated the land for over a century, expresses the individuality of this unique terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested from Cathiard's oldest hillside vineyard. Once the grapes reach the cellar, they are gently destemmed and sorted to ensure the finest whole berries are used. The grapes are gravity-fed into fermentation tanks and left to macerate in the cold for up to five days. During the fermentation process, gentle manipulations, including pump-overs and punch-downs, enhance extraction. After 30 days in tanks, the wine is drained, pressed, and undergoes natural malolactic fermentation in new French oak.
This is a magnum edition in OWC/1 - Even tastier, more festive and with a longer drinking window.
WINEMAKERS' COMMENTS Justine Labbé & Fabien Teitgen
"A wine composed of the best of its namesake, Cathiard Vineyard displays an intensity and elegance that mirror the very soul of our terroir. On the palate, the wine showcases a velvety texture with rich flavors of dark fruits, tobacco and spice. Well integrated tannins provide structure and depth while a subtle minerality adds elegance and complexity. The finish is long and lingering, embracing the finesse of old world craftsmanship."
FACT : In the tab: Attachment, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount.
Specifications
| Packing information | Case |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Cathiard Family Estate |
| Grape | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2027 |
| Drinking till | 2047 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| James Suckling rating | 98 |
| Vinous rating | 96 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96+
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
$450
Drink Date:
2028 - 2045
This property's flagship wine excels in this vintage with the 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red—based on older vines from the benchlands and hillsides—offering up an exciting array of aromas ranging from raspberries to blueberries and sage to bay. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense, tannic and muscular yet elegant. it's a gymnast of a wine that should age effortlessly for 20 years or more.
Estate manager Justine Labbé has had a whirlwind introduction to Napa since arriving in time for the 2020 vintage (her first). Even leaving the fires of 2020 aside—although she was able to bottle some excellent wines that year—she's had to deal with drought (2021 and 2022), heat waves (2022) and a late, cool year (2023).
Labbé said 2021 was a very interesting vintage, with a very dry winter and small berries that ripened quickly. "We had low yields and tiny berries—the whole goal of extraction was not to overdo it." The results are some intense and structured wines.
While the 2021s have been bottled and released, we also tasted several barrels likely destined for the top wine in 2022 and 2023. 2022, she said, "was a pretty tough year for us." With the heat wave at the start of September, "some blocks stopped and then resumed [ripening] quickly. Others took three or four weeks." Contrast that to her view of 2023, which she described as an excellent, easy vintage.
There are three wines from this estate, mirroring to some extent the Bordeaux-based owners' origins. After the top-shelf Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red comes the Founding Brothers Red Wine, a second wine, which can include some older-vine and hillside lots that just didn't work in the flagship bottling. Hora is an introduction to the property, made from young vine fruit off the valley floor. All three of the bottlings are balanced and relatively restrained in alcohol; the top two wines are structured and age-worthy.
Published: Oct 17, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CATHIARD VINEYARD NAPA VALLEY 2021
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
CountryUnited States
RegionCalifornia
Vintage2021
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
99
Aromas of blackcurrants, pine needles, cedar, tree bark and fresh dark mushrooms. Some stone and black fruit, too. A very fine-grained wine, complex and refined with energy and focus. It’s elegant with a lasting finish. Hints of nutmeg and other spices at the end, with a touch of incense and sandalwood. Pure cabernet sauvignon from 45-year-old vines, the oldest hillside block at the property. 9,000 bottles made. Try after 2028.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2026 - 2036
From: Napa Valley’s 2022 & 2023 Cabernet Sauvignons - Updated (Dec 2024)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous and hopefully an indication of what the property will be capable of in the future. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, the 2021 exudes class. Sumptuous dark-toned fruit, leather, chocolate, lavender and spice all saturate the palate. Brisk acids pull it all together in style.- By Antonio Galloni on December 2024
Florence and Daniel Cathiard, along with their team at Smith Haut Lafitte, have done a fabulous job with their new Napa Valley estate. Winemaker Justine Labbe turned out a superb set of 2021s that are every bit as compelling as they were when I tasted them just prior to bottling. The 2022s are very strong wines in a much more challenging vintage.
(93-96+)
Drinking Window
2027 - 2041
From: The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernets, Part One (Dec 2023)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's top wine, is dark and mysterious to the core. Black cherry, mocha, plum, new leather, incense and dried herbs all build in grand style, supported by beams of tannin that give the wine energy and shape. This is such an impressive showing, especially considering that these barrel samples were not in the best shape when I tasted them.
- By Antonio Galloni on December 2023
I have been fortunate over the years to see many new projects in Napa Valley get off the ground. Cathiard Vineyard is among the most impressive. Florence and Daniel Cathiard, best known for the wines they make at Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, purchased their Napa Valley property (formerly Flora Springs) in January 2020, brutal timing for a new venture. Even so, the Cathiards dealt with the challenge of starting their new winery during the COVID-19 lockdown and then dealt with wildfires later in the year with notable perseverance. Justine Labbé, trained at Smith Haut Lafitte runs the estate on a daily basis, with assistance from Smith Haut Lafitte Technical Director Fabien Teitgen. The first vintage is 2020, another courageous move. Then again, the Cathiards’ first vintage at Smith was 1991. The 2020s are very good wines for the year, but also naturally show the limits of the vintage. I was seriously impressed with the 2021s, which I tasted as barrel samples in Bordeaux under less-than-ideal conditions. I am very much looking forward to tasting those wines in finished form. Bravo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Geschiedenis van Cathiard Family Estate
De familie Cathiard is geen onbekende in de wijnwereld. In Frankrijk hebben ze hun sporen al ruimschoots verdiend met prestigieuze domeinen in Bordeaux. Toen Florence en Daniel Cathiard hun blik naar Californië richtten, lag de focus meteen op Napa Valley. Daar zagen ze een kans om de ervaring uit Frankrijk te combineren met de unieke Californische terroirs. Het domein in Rutherford groeide uit tot Cathiard Family Estate, een plek waar oude kennis en nieuwe invloeden samenkomen. Het verhaal gaat dus niet alleen over een nieuw project, maar ook over een brug tussen continenten.
Cathiard Family Estate in Napa Valley
Het wijnhuis ligt in Rutherford, een gebied dat bekendstaat om Cabernet Sauvignon van topniveau. Napa Valley trekt al decennia wijnliefhebbers uit de hele wereld, en Cathiard Family Estate is een van de jongere namen die er nu stevig voet aan de grond hebben. Hun stijl is vol, expressief en tegelijk verfijnd, wat goed aansluit bij wat veel liefhebbers zoeken in Napa-wijnen. Het is dan ook geen verrassing dat Cathiard snel populariteit wint, zeker bij consumenten die zowel klassiek als modern waarderen.
Populariteit en groeipatroon
Hoewel het domein pas relatief kort in Napa actief is, groeit de bekendheid snel. Aanvankelijk vooral via kenners en verzamelaars, maar inmiddels ook bij een breder publiek. De combinatie van Franse traditie en Californische energie spreekt veel mensen aan. Bekende wijnschrijvers hebben al lovende recensies gegeven, waardoor de wijnen een plek kregen op internationale markten. Steeds meer restaurants en wijnspeciaalzaken nemen ze op in hun assortiment. Het groeipatroon is duidelijk: van niche naar gevestigde naam, en dat in een indrukwekkend tempo.
Interessante feitjes over Cathiard Family Estate
- De wijngaarden liggen op de historische terroirs van Rutherford, waar ooit enkele van de eerste Napa-wijnstokken werden geplant.
- De Cathiards werken met kleinschalige vinificatie: elk perceel wordt apart gevinifieerd om de diversiteit van de wijngaard te behouden.
- Het domein is duurzaam ingericht, met aandacht voor waterbeheer en biodiversiteit in de wijngaarden.
- Naast Cabernet Sauvignon worden er ook kleine hoeveelheden Merlot en Petit Verdot aangeplant, die bijdragen aan de complexiteit van de blends.
- De familie pendelt nog steeds regelmatig tussen Bordeaux en Napa, waardoor er een constante uitwisseling van ideeën plaatsvindt.
Cathiard Family Estate online bestellen?
De wijnen van Cathiard Family Estate zijn verkrijgbaar bij Grandcruwijnen. Ze liggen opgeslagen in ons geconditioneerde Wine Warehouse in Dordrecht, zodat ze perfect worden bewaard. Bestel je online, dan kun je kiezen voor afhalen. Daarbij krijg je direct korting, zichtbaar zodra je bij het afrekenen voor ‘Afhalen’ kiest.
Trivia
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The Cathiard family, owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, joined the club of Bordeaux winegrowers based in California. The estate was founded in 1885 by two brothers from Scotland, James and William Rennie. The estate changed hands after Prohibition and again in the 1970s, until it was purchased by the Cathiard family in 2020. The cultivation of the vines and the production of the wines are carried out according to the same values as at Château Smith Haut Lafitte: a deep respect for nature and its beauty, meticulous work on the vines, and traditional know-how that plays a key role in innovation. This estate, located in Rutherford, boasts 25 hectares of vineyards.
Cathiard Vineyard, located in the Rutherford and St. Helena AVAs, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, where winemakers have cultivated the land for over a century, expresses the individuality of this unique terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested from Cathiard's oldest hillside vineyard. Once the grapes reach the cellar, they are gently destemmed and sorted to ensure the finest whole berries are used. The grapes are gravity-fed into fermentation tanks and left to macerate in the cold for up to five days. During the fermentation process, gentle manipulations, including pump-overs and punch-downs, enhance extraction. After 30 days in tanks, the wine is drained, pressed, and undergoes natural malolactic fermentation in new French oak.
This is a magnum edition in OWC/1 - Even tastier, more festive and with a longer drinking window.
WINEMAKERS' COMMENTS Justine Labbé & Fabien Teitgen
"A wine composed of the best of its namesake, Cathiard Vineyard displays an intensity and elegance that mirror the very soul of our terroir. On the palate, the wine showcases a velvety texture with rich flavors of dark fruits, tobacco and spice. Well integrated tannins provide structure and depth while a subtle minerality adds elegance and complexity. The finish is long and lingering, embracing the finesse of old world craftsmanship."
FACT : In the tab: Attachment, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount.
| Packing information | Case |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Cathiard Family Estate |
| Grape | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2027 |
| Drinking till | 2047 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 1.5 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| James Suckling rating | 98 |
| Vinous rating | 96 |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 96+
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
$450
Drink Date:
2028 - 2045
This property's flagship wine excels in this vintage with the 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red—based on older vines from the benchlands and hillsides—offering up an exciting array of aromas ranging from raspberries to blueberries and sage to bay. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense, tannic and muscular yet elegant. it's a gymnast of a wine that should age effortlessly for 20 years or more.
Estate manager Justine Labbé has had a whirlwind introduction to Napa since arriving in time for the 2020 vintage (her first). Even leaving the fires of 2020 aside—although she was able to bottle some excellent wines that year—she's had to deal with drought (2021 and 2022), heat waves (2022) and a late, cool year (2023).
Labbé said 2021 was a very interesting vintage, with a very dry winter and small berries that ripened quickly. "We had low yields and tiny berries—the whole goal of extraction was not to overdo it." The results are some intense and structured wines.
While the 2021s have been bottled and released, we also tasted several barrels likely destined for the top wine in 2022 and 2023. 2022, she said, "was a pretty tough year for us." With the heat wave at the start of September, "some blocks stopped and then resumed [ripening] quickly. Others took three or four weeks." Contrast that to her view of 2023, which she described as an excellent, easy vintage.
There are three wines from this estate, mirroring to some extent the Bordeaux-based owners' origins. After the top-shelf Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red comes the Founding Brothers Red Wine, a second wine, which can include some older-vine and hillside lots that just didn't work in the flagship bottling. Hora is an introduction to the property, made from young vine fruit off the valley floor. All three of the bottlings are balanced and relatively restrained in alcohol; the top two wines are structured and age-worthy.
Published: Oct 17, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CATHIARD VINEYARD NAPA VALLEY 2021
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
CountryUnited States
RegionCalifornia
Vintage2021
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
99
Aromas of blackcurrants, pine needles, cedar, tree bark and fresh dark mushrooms. Some stone and black fruit, too. A very fine-grained wine, complex and refined with energy and focus. It’s elegant with a lasting finish. Hints of nutmeg and other spices at the end, with a touch of incense and sandalwood. Pure cabernet sauvignon from 45-year-old vines, the oldest hillside block at the property. 9,000 bottles made. Try after 2028.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2026 - 2036
From: Napa Valley’s 2022 & 2023 Cabernet Sauvignons - Updated (Dec 2024)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous and hopefully an indication of what the property will be capable of in the future. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, the 2021 exudes class. Sumptuous dark-toned fruit, leather, chocolate, lavender and spice all saturate the palate. Brisk acids pull it all together in style.- By Antonio Galloni on December 2024
Florence and Daniel Cathiard, along with their team at Smith Haut Lafitte, have done a fabulous job with their new Napa Valley estate. Winemaker Justine Labbe turned out a superb set of 2021s that are every bit as compelling as they were when I tasted them just prior to bottling. The 2022s are very strong wines in a much more challenging vintage.
(93-96+)
Drinking Window
2027 - 2041
From: The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernets, Part One (Dec 2023)
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's top wine, is dark and mysterious to the core. Black cherry, mocha, plum, new leather, incense and dried herbs all build in grand style, supported by beams of tannin that give the wine energy and shape. This is such an impressive showing, especially considering that these barrel samples were not in the best shape when I tasted them.
- By Antonio Galloni on December 2023
I have been fortunate over the years to see many new projects in Napa Valley get off the ground. Cathiard Vineyard is among the most impressive. Florence and Daniel Cathiard, best known for the wines they make at Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, purchased their Napa Valley property (formerly Flora Springs) in January 2020, brutal timing for a new venture. Even so, the Cathiards dealt with the challenge of starting their new winery during the COVID-19 lockdown and then dealt with wildfires later in the year with notable perseverance. Justine Labbé, trained at Smith Haut Lafitte runs the estate on a daily basis, with assistance from Smith Haut Lafitte Technical Director Fabien Teitgen. The first vintage is 2020, another courageous move. Then again, the Cathiards’ first vintage at Smith was 1991. The 2020s are very good wines for the year, but also naturally show the limits of the vintage. I was seriously impressed with the 2021s, which I tasted as barrel samples in Bordeaux under less-than-ideal conditions. I am very much looking forward to tasting those wines in finished form. Bravo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Geschiedenis van Cathiard Family Estate
De familie Cathiard is geen onbekende in de wijnwereld. In Frankrijk hebben ze hun sporen al ruimschoots verdiend met prestigieuze domeinen in Bordeaux. Toen Florence en Daniel Cathiard hun blik naar Californië richtten, lag de focus meteen op Napa Valley. Daar zagen ze een kans om de ervaring uit Frankrijk te combineren met de unieke Californische terroirs. Het domein in Rutherford groeide uit tot Cathiard Family Estate, een plek waar oude kennis en nieuwe invloeden samenkomen. Het verhaal gaat dus niet alleen over een nieuw project, maar ook over een brug tussen continenten.
Cathiard Family Estate in Napa Valley
Het wijnhuis ligt in Rutherford, een gebied dat bekendstaat om Cabernet Sauvignon van topniveau. Napa Valley trekt al decennia wijnliefhebbers uit de hele wereld, en Cathiard Family Estate is een van de jongere namen die er nu stevig voet aan de grond hebben. Hun stijl is vol, expressief en tegelijk verfijnd, wat goed aansluit bij wat veel liefhebbers zoeken in Napa-wijnen. Het is dan ook geen verrassing dat Cathiard snel populariteit wint, zeker bij consumenten die zowel klassiek als modern waarderen.
Populariteit en groeipatroon
Hoewel het domein pas relatief kort in Napa actief is, groeit de bekendheid snel. Aanvankelijk vooral via kenners en verzamelaars, maar inmiddels ook bij een breder publiek. De combinatie van Franse traditie en Californische energie spreekt veel mensen aan. Bekende wijnschrijvers hebben al lovende recensies gegeven, waardoor de wijnen een plek kregen op internationale markten. Steeds meer restaurants en wijnspeciaalzaken nemen ze op in hun assortiment. Het groeipatroon is duidelijk: van niche naar gevestigde naam, en dat in een indrukwekkend tempo.
Interessante feitjes over Cathiard Family Estate
- De wijngaarden liggen op de historische terroirs van Rutherford, waar ooit enkele van de eerste Napa-wijnstokken werden geplant.
- De Cathiards werken met kleinschalige vinificatie: elk perceel wordt apart gevinifieerd om de diversiteit van de wijngaard te behouden.
- Het domein is duurzaam ingericht, met aandacht voor waterbeheer en biodiversiteit in de wijngaarden.
- Naast Cabernet Sauvignon worden er ook kleine hoeveelheden Merlot en Petit Verdot aangeplant, die bijdragen aan de complexiteit van de blends.
- De familie pendelt nog steeds regelmatig tussen Bordeaux en Napa, waardoor er een constante uitwisseling van ideeën plaatsvindt.
Cathiard Family Estate online bestellen?
De wijnen van Cathiard Family Estate zijn verkrijgbaar bij Grandcruwijnen. Ze liggen opgeslagen in ons geconditioneerde Wine Warehouse in Dordrecht, zodat ze perfect worden bewaard. Bestel je online, dan kun je kiezen voor afhalen. Daarbij krijg je direct korting, zichtbaar zodra je bij het afrekenen voor ‘Afhalen’ kiest.
Wine Trivia
🍷 Enjoyed these wine facts? Share your newfound knowledge with fellow wine enthusiasts!
Discover Wine Trivia
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