Groth 40th Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Oakville, Napa Valley (75cl, 14.2%)

This is a red wine from Oakville in Napa Valley, marking the 40th vintage of Groth's Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, released as a tribute to co-founder Judith Mae Groth, with a label that replicates the 1982 design. The fruit comes from the estate's sustainably farmed Oakville vineyard and selected partner growers, harvested at night and sorted by hand. It was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, half of them new. The wine is deep garnet, with macerated blackberry, graham cracker crust, cocoa nibs and hibiscus tea on the nose. On the palate come sour cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant, with a hint of rhubarb and paprika. The tannins soften into a velvety finish.