2021 Amici Cimarossa Cabernet Sauvignon

97points

James Suckling

“Full-bodied and plush”

Vineyard Notes

Cimarossa Vineyard is the first vineyard in the Amici portfolio to come from the Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley. The vineyard’s name is a nod to owner Dino Dina’s Italian heritage, as well as the site’s volcanic terroir, as Cimarossa translates to “Red Hilltop” in Italian. Planted in 1997, the vineyard’s 15 planted acres range in elevation from 1600-2100 ft and produce vines with small berries with concentrated flavors.

Winemaking Notes

Our second vintage from this beautiful Howell Mountain vineyard site, the 2021 Cimarossa Cabernet Sauvignon shows off the region’s classic mountain complexity. The nose is immediately filled with blueberry pie, fresh herb and cocoa powder notes, followed by intense flavors of plum and dark chocolate, which lead into hints of sweet vanilla bean and licorice on the palate. The massive yet polished tannins show beautifully throughout the long finish and are accompanied by a pleasant earthy quality.

Vintage
2021
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard
Cimarossa
Appellation
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol
14.8%
Fermentation & Aging
100% Stainless Steel fermentation; Aged 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels

Reviews

97points

James Suckling

The graphite comes through clearly here with blackcurrants, boysenberries and cherries. Full-bodied and plush considering it’s a mountain vineyard, with sweet fruit and decadence to the freshness. Drinkable but give it time to soften.

96points

The Wine Independent

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cimarossa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon features chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries, fruitcake, and plum preserves with hints of roses, fallen leaves, and damp soil. The full-bodied, muscular palate is firm, grainy, and earthy, finishing long.

96points

Vinous

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa is a gorgeous, expressive mountain wine. The aromatics are quite open, while there’s a ton of textural depth. Most impressively, the tannins are inredibly polished for a mountain Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, mocha, leather, iron, dried fruit and leather soar out of the glass. There’s plenty of structure, but also very fine balance.

95-97points

Jeb Dunnuck

Lastly, from a site on Howell Mountain, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard is more exotic, with a perfumed nose of blue fruits, forest, herbal, earthy nuances, and a hint of iron that develops with time in the glass. It’s another full-bodied, structured, even tannic 2021 barrel sample that has the required balance and purity. Give it a few years.

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