A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, plum, tobacco, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs, dry earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is still very youthful and, to my palate, its best years are still ahead. Already delicious though. Drink now through 2051+.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, plum, tobacco, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs, dry earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is still very youthful and, to my palate, its best years are still ahead. Already delicious though. Drink now through 2051+.
Dec 10th, 2025Poured into a decanter about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a lovely mix of dark and red fruits, cassis, black and red brambles, tobacco, eucalyptus, leather, cedar box, green herbs, some cocoa, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The texture is silky, in fact, down right sexy. Brilliantly balanced. This is a profoundly sensual wine and one of the best young Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had in many years. These will age for a very long time and I can only imagine how epic the 2021 Terrace Select is going to be. Drink now with an extended decant and through 2051+.
Poured into a decanter about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a lovely mix of dark and red fruits, cassis, black and red brambles, tobacco, eucalyptus, leather, cedar box, green herbs, some cocoa, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The texture is silky, in fact, down right sexy. Brilliantly balanced. This is a profoundly sensual wine and one of the best young Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had in many years. These will age for a very long time and I can only imagine how epic the 2021 Terrace Select is going to be. Drink now with an extended decant and through 2051+.
Dec 2nd, 2024
Best wine list deal in SF and maybe the country! So good. Needed decant but was so complex and tasted amazing with the prime rib. Cocoa, tea, a bit of wood, dark fruits. So lovely.
Best wine list deal in SF and maybe the country! So good. Needed decant but was so complex and tasted amazing with the prime rib. Cocoa, tea, a bit of wood, dark fruits. So lovely.
Nov 23rd, 2024
Yes. Too early to open it. But oh so good
Yes. Too early to open it. But oh so good
Apr 21st, 2024