Cadence Cabernet Sauvignon Cara Mia Vineyard 2021

96 points Paul Gregutt: "A pure expression of classy Red Mountain Cabernet. It starts with the perfumed aromas, a sensuous tease that leads into a svelte, smooth and sexy palate. The weave of red and black fruits, focused tannins, earthy phenolics and light barrel spices and toasted walnuts builds and builds into a complex and lingering finish. It explodes into full multi-dimensional life with just a little breathing time."

96 points Owen Bargreen: "A total stunner. Beautiful potpourri notes mark the nose alongside damp earth, chocolate and espresso grounds. The palate is refined and shows silky tannins with plenty of powerful dark fruits that mingle well with creme de violette and dark chocolate shavings. Really good even in its heady youth, this has the potential to be a 20 year wine." 

Two Washington-based wine reviewers give the same huge score to a non-huge Cabernet—this is the story of the brilliantly old-school Cadence Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.

Let's break it down: Paul Gregutt and Owen Bargreen know Washington wine. They don't just pop over from their Napa offices once a year to visit a few wineries. And they're saying today's Cab is classy, svelte, smooth, multi-dimensional, a total stunner—worthy of two 96-point scores.

And the best news yet: they are correct. In a Cabernet landscape that can feel more and more bombastic, Cadence blows open the door with a classic Cabernet style, one that prizes finesse and texture over power and octane. Maybe that's "old-school" but definitely, it's delicious. In-the-know critics and your favorite Northwest wine guys agree—now get yourself some Cadence Cabernet!

You can call it "old school." You can call it "classic." One thing's for sure: it's fantastic! Known for power and structure, Red Mountain seems the least likely Washington growing area to birth this elegant Cabernet. But this is exactly what Cadence founder Ben Smith has been working towards for the better part of two decades and we see it perfectly expressed in his 2021 estate vineyard Cab.

In his words: Perhaps I should begin by telling you how we wanted to style a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from our vineyard and then tell you how close I came to the mark! 2021 is the 16th vintage from Cara Mia Vineyard. In that time we’ve incessantly tweaked, prodded, pruned, grafted and in many other ways changed the way we farm and harvest fruit, all with the goal of producing intense wines of grace and balance not normally found on Red Mountain or in most of Washington. In those 16 years I have become increasingly confident in our pick decisions (being old has a few advantages) and in that time we’ve lowered our ripeness levels at least one to 1.5 Brix, a significant change allowing for more non-fruit savoriness and bright, beautiful acidity coupled with ageworthy tannins. As for our new release, the 2021 vintage brought a wonderful balance to Cabernet Sauvignon that clearly demonstrates the character we love to express.