St. Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

High-elevation vineyards on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains produced the fruit for this full-bodied red, which aged 20 months in French oak. Creamy and sumptuous, with notes of dark cherry and melted brown sugar. Spiced sandalwood, blackberry, and cassis intertwine with dark chocolate to create a luxurious mouthfeel.

Ultraripe but still nice and dry, this gentle giant feels soft and velvety while cradling late-picked plums, blackberries and oak spices in soft tannins.

Taking an opaque black/red color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Reserve is more subdued on the nose, with notes of toasted cedar, baked earth, dried currants, and tobacco. Full-bodied and gripping in its structure, it builds with drying tannins and a more modest finish. I wouldn't hold on to this too long, as I don't see its structure softening before its fruit falls out.