Marineau Mills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga 2021

Never ones to shy away from creative inspiration and further adventures, we quickly found another vineyard that stole our hearts, a special parcel directly adjacent to our Marineau Mills estate. Similar in spirit but distinct in character, this site displayed immense potential; we suspected it could serve as a nuanced blending component to our wines or perhaps even as a stand-alone, single-vineyard wine as our Marineau Mills portfolio grew. Both proved to be true. In 2021, we began sourcing from this vineyard, adding a regal and elegant component to our 2021 Marineau Mills Cabernet Sauvignon. We dubbed this site Iron Ring.

In Canadian engineering tradition, the Iron Ring represents responsibility to the community—it symbolizes hard work and cutting no corners. As an engineer, Sebastien wears his iron ring every day, and we carry that same commitment through to everything we do. In future vintages, Iron Ring may be bottled as its own wine, depending on the season and the winemaker’s vision for each vintage.

On September 23rd, 2021, we hand-harvested fruit from both vineyard sites and instantly recognized the exceptional quality. Drought conditions and careful vineyard management had yielded a small but intensely flavorful crop of Cabernet Sauvignon from each site. This cuvée aged for 27 months in a select few French oak barrels before bottling in January 2024.

Aromatically lifted and inviting, the 2021 Marineau Mills Cabernet Sauvignon reveals layers of ripe dark fruit intertwined with warming notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of bourbon spice. Each sip is an experience: a soft, lush entry evolving into flavors of cherry kirsch and leather, underscored by firm, well-integrated tannins that promise longevity in the cellar.

While approachable now, this wine’s structure and richness will reward those who give it time to age. With just 128 cases produced, this vintage embodies the tenacity of our small team and the rugged beauty of Napa’s terroir.