Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 75cl
This is the wine the Salus profits help make possible — Staglin's flagship Estate Cabernet, grown on a Rutherford Bench site that has carried vines since 1864. The Staglins farm it organically, and for years leaned on the eye of David Abreu, one of Napa's most sought-after vineyard men, to manage it. That pedigree is the reason this bottle sits where it does.
The 2021 vintage was defined by drought and cool, even temperatures, which produced record-small berries and clusters — nature's own concentration. This wine then took an extra six months in barrel before bottling, adding polish to the power.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 100 points. The notes run brooding and deep: dark purple fruit, mocha, mint and supple leather, with black currant, sun-warmed fig, liquorice and savoury herbs playing across a frame of refined but powerful tannins. It tapers to dark chocolate, cedar and crushed lavender. This is Rutherford Cabernet at full stretch — muscular, layered, but never clumsy.
At £250 this is collector-level Napa, and the perfect score and organic estate provenance back it up. It is drinking impressively but tightly wound; the reward comes with cellaring into the 2030s, or a long, patient decant if you can't wait.
How to Serve
Serve at 16 to 18°C. Decant young bottles for one to two hours, or lay it down. Use your largest Bordeaux glass.
Where to Drink It
Scott's in Mayfair for a landmark bottle. Wiltons on Jermyn Street for the old-guard treatment. The Connaught Bar afterwards, for a considered nightcap.
Food Pairings
A dry-aged côte de boeuf, simply cooked, is all this wine asks for. Roast venison with a dark jus is the game-season alternative.
