Cathiard Estate is situated at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena, California. The property changed hands several times between 1840 and 1885 until Scottish emigrants James and William Rennie purchased the property from Martin Furstenfeld in 1885. In 1933 Louis Martini and his wife purchased the property, using it as their residence while storing Martini’s wine. Martini stayed on the estate until his passing in 1974. In 1978, the Komes and Garvey families became owners and named the property Flora Springs Winery, until it was later acquired by the Cathiards in 2020. This estate has shown tremendous potential in the hands of the Cathiard family.

The 2021 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc from vines that average 25 years of age. It spends 16-18 months in 50% new French Oak and 20% in large foudres. In the glass this wine shimmers with a dark garnet core and aromas of macerated blueberries with subtle notes of sagebrush and cedar. The texture is lush with creme de cassis, Morello cherry puree, sweet toasted oak and melted chocolate shavings. The mid-palate is opulent and complex, buoyed by finely grained tannins, fresh acidity and a vein of minerality. The wine reveals a youthful energy as the fruit lingers long into the finish.

By W Peter Hoyne