97pts Wine Independent

Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2021 Granite Lake Cabernet Sauvignon rockets out with a firework display of ripe blackberries, mulberries, and warm cassis opening out to an undercurrent of tapenade, cardamom, and garrigue plus a waft of star anise. The medium-bodied palate is completely coated with ripe black berry and earthy layers supported by very firm yet ripe tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with lots of long-lasting savory sparks. This is like sipping a beautiful mountainside forest. It comes from a single vineyard on Howell Mountain at an elevation of 2,097 feet and was aged 22 months in French barriques, 30% new. 235 cases were made.

Winemaker Notes

Granite Lake does not just reside in the Howell Mountain AVA, it is on the ridgeline of the mountain itself. The soils are dusty, red, rich in iron and volcanic debris deposited during the valley’s turbulent, secondary eruptions. Combining this low-vigor soil, 10% slope, and 2,097 feet of elevation gives you a darn good recipe for a classically-styled Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine reflects this terroir construct with approachable but firm tannins paired with low pH and savory acidity. It is our wine with the most power and ballast. Sitting above the fog line adds a sense of warm, red fruits (think: raspberry, strawberry and plum) that is balanced with a sense of charcoal, red rose, rainwater-minerality, and herb.
Persona : Serena Williams, meaning powerful and feminine with impressive core strength

About the Winery

Terroir, in its most broadly defined sense, is a summation of the differences that exist between unique vineyards. The fine-wine ambition that drives Pilcrow makes the clear expression of terroir an absolute and an ideal. Understandably then, we refrain from using any modern winemaking techniques—like extended maceration, micro-oxygenation, residual sugar, heavy oak., etc.—that tend to homogenize the subtle differences of site. We also avoid careless winemaking—like spoilage yeasts, volatile acidity, oxidation, etc.—for the very same reasons.

Jonah’s love affair with the Napa Valley began with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Of all the amazing people he met there it was Nathan Fay that made the biggest impression.

Nathan used to taste the new release of SLWC’s FAY each year with Jonah while sitting in the back of the winery near the bottling line. It was more “relaxing” for him there than in the tasting room. He loved down-valley coolness in his Cab.

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Organic