2021 Cathiard Vineyard 'Founding Brothers' Proprietary Red Napa Valley
In 1885, Scottish brothers James and William Rennie planted this estate with the same ambition that earned their family knighthood for engineering feats like London Bridge. Their Napa dreams met an untimely end with fire, phylloxera, and Prohibition—but the spirit of innovation lived on. Today, Florence and Daniel Cathiard, stewards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, have revived this historic land with the same passion they bring to nature, the arts, and winemaking.
A bold yet elegant tribute, Founding Brothers layers dark berry richness with refined tannins and a whisper of graphite, echoing both its Napa roots and Bordeaux inspiration. The past may have been interrupted, but this wine ensures the story continues—one exceptional glass at a time.
Decanter
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.
James Suckling
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.