- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES
From the rugged, sun-drenched slopes of Mount Veeder comes the Brandlin 2021 Estate Cuvée—a masterstroke of precision and depth that pays homage to both site and style. A seamless blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 37% Petit Verdot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a final 3% kiss of Merlot, this cuvée is a vinous mosaic of Napa Valley’s most expressive Bordeaux varietals, aged for 22 months in small French oak barrels, one-third of which were new. The result is a wine that captures the wildness of the mountain and polishes it with regal finesse.
The nose alone is arresting, leaping from the glass with layers of violets, lavender, and crushed wild herbs, underscored by graphite and pencil shavings—signature markers of Mount Veeder’s stony soils. Cabernet Franc leads the aromatic charge with its floral lift and perfumed red raspberry, while Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon bring a darker, moodier resonance—think black currant, blueberry compote, and bitter chocolate. Hints of mocha, roasted espresso bean, and warm persimmon add further intrigue to the bouquet, inviting the taster into a world of complexity and nuance.
On the palate, the wine is both commanding and graceful, with a tension and verticality that speak to the elevation and sparse yields of Brandlin’s estate vineyard. A mouth-coating tapestry of fine-grained tannins wraps around the core of ripe fruit, offering structure without austerity. The balance achieved here is impeccable—Cabernet Franc's vibrancy counteracts the lush density of the Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a wine that feels both fresh and profound. The mid-palate offers a symphony of flavors that evolve with each sip, from red currant and raspberry to blueberry, cocoa nib, and savory spices, all sailing toward a finish that lingers with persistence and quiet authority.
Brandlin’s 2021 Cuvée is a compelling argument for the singular power of Mount Veeder terroir—where altitude, exposure, and ancient soils yield wines of remarkable poise and age-worthiness. This bottling is not only a benchmark expression of Brandlin’s estate but also a testament to the harmony possible in Bordeaux-style blends when crafted with both intention and intuition. A cellar-worthy gem that will continue to unfurl beautifully over the next 10–15 years, but its current allure is undeniable. For lovers of Napa Valley reds with mountain pedigree, this is a must-have.
Blend: 37% Cabernet Franc 37% Petit Verdot 23% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
The nose alone is arresting, leaping from the glass with layers of violets, lavender, and crushed wild herbs, underscored by graphite and pencil shavings—signature markers of Mount Veeder’s stony soils. Cabernet Franc leads the aromatic charge with its floral lift and perfumed red raspberry, while Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon bring a darker, moodier resonance—think black currant, blueberry compote, and bitter chocolate. Hints of mocha, roasted espresso bean, and warm persimmon add further intrigue to the bouquet, inviting the taster into a world of complexity and nuance.
On the palate, the wine is both commanding and graceful, with a tension and verticality that speak to the elevation and sparse yields of Brandlin’s estate vineyard. A mouth-coating tapestry of fine-grained tannins wraps around the core of ripe fruit, offering structure without austerity. The balance achieved here is impeccable—Cabernet Franc's vibrancy counteracts the lush density of the Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a wine that feels both fresh and profound. The mid-palate offers a symphony of flavors that evolve with each sip, from red currant and raspberry to blueberry, cocoa nib, and savory spices, all sailing toward a finish that lingers with persistence and quiet authority.
Brandlin’s 2021 Cuvée is a compelling argument for the singular power of Mount Veeder terroir—where altitude, exposure, and ancient soils yield wines of remarkable poise and age-worthiness. This bottling is not only a benchmark expression of Brandlin’s estate but also a testament to the harmony possible in Bordeaux-style blends when crafted with both intention and intuition. A cellar-worthy gem that will continue to unfurl beautifully over the next 10–15 years, but its current allure is undeniable. For lovers of Napa Valley reds with mountain pedigree, this is a must-have.
Blend: 37% Cabernet Franc 37% Petit Verdot 23% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
93 POINTS - "This blend carries a high percentage of Petit Verdot, and it is a great choice as it adds a host of violet, graphite and dark fruit character that plays well off the herbal aromas and flavors of the usually more dominant grapes in a Bordeaux styled blend. It’s got some serious backbone, so consider aging this a few years before digging in. It will be worth the wait. Contains 37% Cabernet Franc, 37% Petit Verdot, 23 Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot." - Rich Cook
92 POINTS - "This hazy dark garnet colored Red Blend from Brandlin opens with a black raspberry and violet bouquet with hints of red currant, cocoa, and bay leaf. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced, smooth, and mouthcoating. The flavor profile is gentle licorice and graphite blend with notes of dark chocolate and tobacco. We also detected hints of mild blueberry, black cherry, muddled mint, and toasted oak. The finish is initially very dry, and its flavors and dusty tannins build-up and stick around for quite a while. That said, this wine benefits from aeration and a good decant brings out its best." - Kens Wine Guide
92 POINTS - "This hazy dark garnet colored Red Blend from Brandlin opens with a black raspberry and violet bouquet with hints of red currant, cocoa, and bay leaf. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced, smooth, and mouthcoating. The flavor profile is gentle licorice and graphite blend with notes of dark chocolate and tobacco. We also detected hints of mild blueberry, black cherry, muddled mint, and toasted oak. The finish is initially very dry, and its flavors and dusty tannins build-up and stick around for quite a while. That said, this wine benefits from aeration and a good decant brings out its best." - Kens Wine Guide
Despite the smaller yield, 2015 produced wines of power and richness. Our Brandlin Cabernet is brimming with notes of black currants, violets, rose petals, and black cherry with a hint of camphor. A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc, the wine is plush and round on the palate with fine mountain tannins and a long, satiny finish.