2021 Bell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Of Bell Mountain Vineyard’s 50 acres of vines, 50% are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, a testament to our passion for this grape.  Our vineyard is situated in the southeast corner of Alexander Valley at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountain Range giving us well-drained, gravelly-clay soil with a compacted layer of volcanic ash underneath.  This location has the hot Alexander Valley summers combined with cool nights that is just what the Cabernet Sauvignon grape is looking for to maximize sugar, acid, and tannin development. 

The 2021 Bell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant display of red and black fruits with savory spices, expresso bean and cinnamon on the nose. The palate is full bodied and exudes richness of Madagascar vanilla, stewed strawberries, and black cherry. The wine delivers a hint of sweetness reminiscent of red velvet cake that integrates seamlessly with the balanced tannins creating a long lingering silkiness. Can be enjoyed on its own or alongside a variety of foods including perfectly grilled ribeye, bold blue cheese or portobello mushrooms.

Vintage 

2021 vintage is one to remember. The vines enjoyed mild ripening weather throughout the summer and fall with very few days of intense heat spikes. This allowed us to pick at the ideal time for each variety and block at Bell Mountain Vineyard. The acidity held up as the flavor and fruit development continued with ample ripening time for an abundance of aromatic qualities and elegant fruit flavors to develop. Drought conditions for the second consecutive year impacted vine vigor and crop potential. Berry and cluster sizes were on the smaller side but yielded a high concentration of flavor. 2021 has some of the lowest yields since we’ve been farming Bell Mountain Vineyard, but this was offset by the exceptional quality of the wines.