2021 Anthem Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Anthem Winery and Vineyards was established in 2009 by Justin and Julie Arbuckle to produce small-batch, ultra-premium wine. Jeff Ames is winemaker and John Truchard is vineyard manager. Both have respected track records in Napa Valley. Ames worked as assistant to star winemaker Thomas Brown on projects for Schrader, Maybach and Tor. In 2003 he became head winemaker at Tor. Truchard is a second-generation Napa Valley vineyard developer and manager. He manages 25 vineyards. Anthem’s debut release was the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. Anthem in 2010 produced Cabernet Sauvignon from prestigious Beckstoffer Vineyard fruit, and produced a Mt. Veeder Merlot. The wines have earned ratings in the mid-90s from reviewers.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.