2021 Groth 40th Anniversary Edition Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

“Fragrant aromas of black cherry, plums, wild herbs and sweet cedar meld, building a rich aromatic profile that carries through on the full-bodied palate. It is a generous wine, though quite compact and tightly wound up in its youth; it has all the characteristic Groth traits of an age-worthy Napa Cabernet. Perfectly delineated blackberry and black cherry fruit is laced with fragrant graphite minerality and dried sage nuances, violets, creme de cassis, and with some air, reveals blue fruit aromatics. A spine of firm acidity supports fine-grained chocolaty tannins. Splendid. Recently, I sampled a vertical of Groth Napa Cabernet going back to the 1982 vintage and was blown away by the elegance of the wines and how well they held up particularly the '82, '83, and a spate of wines in the 1990s. These are not flashy, showy wines out the gate, but they are well-built and will deliver great pleasure for decades, as I'm confident this 2021 will prove with time.” (04/2024)

“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 16% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with energetic notes of crushed blackberries, black cherries, and fresh blackcurrants leading to hints of camphor, licorice, and tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and energetic, with crunchy black fruits and ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with a refreshing skip in its step. (LPB)” (12/2023)

“Rich and luscious aromas of ripe plums and blackberries sprinkled with baking spices carry into flavorful black fruits layered with oak spices. Fine-grained tannins coat the mouth, balanced by juicy acidity that freshens the palate through a long finish. Impressive persistence. (ECB)” (07/2024)

“Ripe blackberries, sweet spices, crushed walnuts, cedar and wet stones. Some iodine, too. Full-bodied, firm and structured with chalky texture to the tannins and juicy acidity. Polished and even.” (09/2023)

“Solidly ripe and plush in feel, offering caressing flavors of blackberry and black currant compote laced with loam and sweet tobacco notes, plus a flash of menthol. Generous through the finish, with the structure nicely melded into the fruit. Oakville 101. (JM)” (07/2024)

“Leading off the reds, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is deep purple-hued, with solid aromatics of ripe black fruits, tobacco, pen ink, and graphite. It's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. A classic, fresher, solid Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it will evolve for 10-12+ years if well stored. It has lots to love.” (12/2023)

“Finding an Oakville Cabernet for under $100 isn't easy, so Groth's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon could be termed something of a value, offering up scents of dried herbs, cherries and loamy earth. Medium to full-bodied, there's a supple, creamy mouthfeel and soft tannins on the finish. (JC)” (03/2024)

“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a fabulous introduction to the Groth wines. Soft, curvy and open-knit, the 2021 is already quite pleasing. Succulent dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and a kick of sweet French oak all meld together. This pliant, seductive Cabernet Sauvignon is quite the charmer. Best of all, it will drink well right out of the gate. (AG)” (12/2023)