2021 The Flag Cabernet Sauvignon

Introducing our newest Cabernet Sauvignon made from the select blocks and barrels that represent the pinnacle of wines Bell Mountain Vineyard produces. The Flag is named in honor of Ames’ great-great-grandfather, John Gilson Howell, who owned and published the Russian River Flag newspaper in Healdsburg in the 1860-1870s. This wine epitomizes the bedrock of the idealism and commitment for preserving Bell Mountain and the peak of wines this land produces for generations. To honor the wine and our history, each bottle is adorned with the reprint of the original publisher’s editorial on the first edition that Ames’ great-great-grandfather printed on November 19, 1868.

2021 The Flag has all the layers of refinement and flavor we wished for when creating this wine. Aromas of stewed raspberries, dense black cherry and blackberry preserves erupt out of the glass along with cinnamon, vanilla bean and lavender. The rich, thick berry quality continues on the palate where each sip also evokes baking spices from a freshly baked wild berry pie and flavors of dark chocolate covered caramels. A mouthwatering acidity makes this wine beg for food while the silky bold tannins resolve into a lingering, juicy finish. This is a youthful wine that can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve for another decade or two.

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.