Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Annapurna Vineyard Stags Leap District Napa Valley 2021

Venge’s Annapurna Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is quintessential Stags Leap District Cab: richly purring satiny strength, with that tantalizing “iron fist in a velvet glove” quality. Typically only available direct from the winery, we got our hands on a limited allocation of the hauntingly beautiful, 94-96 point 2021 vintage. Our only advice: snap up as many as you possibly can!

Venge Vineyards is legendary for its single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons here in Napa Valley, and this 2021 Annapurna resoundingly fulfills all expectations. The Venge family has been in the wine industry for generations, ever since they emigrated from Denmark in the early 1900s. They were already early Napa pioneers when they acquired their first estate in Oakville back in 1976, and today, with two additional estate vineyards in Napa Valley, they have continued to make their mark as one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon houses anywhere.

If you know, you know – the 2021 vintage goes down as one of the all-time greatest in Napa’s history, and certainly the best of any recent vintage. This fruit hails entirely from Annapurna Vineyard in the Stags Leap District, an area called a “valley within a valley” where the Yountville Cross Road meets the Silverado Trail. The 20-acre parcel is planted with 4 acres of 25-plus-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines that are quadrilateral cordon pruned and quadrilateral shoot positioned. The very best, hand-picked grapes are de-stemmed and fermented with native yeasts in open-top fermenters for 19 days with light pressings. Native malolactic occurs before barrel aging in 60% new French oak from the tight-grained Vosges forest with medium and heavy toast.

All of this leads to what can only be described as one of the most breathtaking Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve ever tasted – with brute, brooding power wrapped up in plush, silky smooth tannins. Seductive notes of brambly, wild blackberries, inky black cherries, and black currants are on full display, with hints of olive tapenade, all-spice, cocoa, and a whisper of jalapeno pepper joining on the extra-long finish. It’s juicy yet savory, decadent yet harmonious, and hums with a fine zipper of electrifying acidity. My humble advice is to take home as much as humanly possible – you won’t regret it!

PAIRING IDEAS: Since you’re saving over 65 bucks on the wine, might as well go for the filet. It’s the only way. Warning: sides of truffle mashed potatoes and blistered sugar snap peas might simply transport you straight to heaven.