The 2021 Founding Brothers is the flagship red from Napa Valley's Cathiard Vineyard, crafted from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, all from vines aged 20-30 years and aged 18 months in mostly medium toast Transais French oak barrels. Exquisite red florals lead the way on this nicely aromatic red, nuanced by savoury wild herbs and pops of liquorice and earth. The palate fruit is on the velvety side, with a medium body feel, great freshness, and a deep vein of ironstone minerals that last through a minute-long finish. That fruit is wonderfully pure and expressive—evoking spiced plums, cherries, and pomegranate—with tannins that feel intricate and super-fine, all woven together nicely and creating a smooth expression throughout.
98 points, Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter (Feb 2024)
The 2021 Founding Brothers is brilliant and has a certain Saint Julien-like style in its pure cassis, graphite, smoky tobacco, and floral aromas and flavors. These carry to a full-bodied 2021 that's beautifully concentrated, has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and one great finish. This comes from an incredible terroir and is based on 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc. It's slightly more accessible than the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for just as long, given its beautiful balance and harmony.
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Jan 2025)
This vibrant, refined, and lengthy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc offers both freshness and flavor, a structure built to age, and resplendent acidity. A complex of blue and black fruits, mixed herbs, and satisfying savory flavors make it hard to resist. It will improve even more with age. Hold for several years in cellar.
96 points, Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 2025)
This is a very transparent and aromatic wine with flowers, currants and citrus character. Some pine needles. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine and caresses your palate. Very fine and beautiful. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Better in two or three years but gorgeous now. Drink or hold.
96 points, James Suckling (Feb 2024)
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