Class of 2021: California Red Wines ft Opus One, Colgin, Duckhorn and More!

The 2021 Same Deep Water As You bursts with dark berry, cola and wild herbs. Rich texture and vibrant energy carry the expressive fruit across a bold, lively palate and into a lingering, flavorful finish.

93.5pt - Ken's Wine Guide. This Grand Durif layers blackberry, black plum, blueberry, leather and fig. Smooth and rounded, it finishes with dusty tannins, stony minerality, cola and polished, extended length.

Clif Family's 2021 La Colline Zinfandel layers plum, mushroom, cedar and allspice over bright fruit, gentle tannins and a balanced, elegant Napa Valley palate.

The 2021 Chappellet Cultivation blends 40% Zinfandel, 33% Malbec, 16% Petite Sirah and 11% Petit Verdot. It offers boysenberry, blackberry liqueur, white pepper, vanilla bean, herbs, briary spice, cedar, wild berries, sage and cracked pepper on a rich, mouth-filling palate.

93pt - Jeb Dunnuck. This Cabernet Franc-led blend layers spiced red plum, black cherry, damp flowers and leather. Its ripe, medium-to-full body feels polished, charming and already hard to resist now.

Madrigal’s 2021 Tres Tesoros Estate Red blends Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Garnacha. Concentrated black plum, dried herbs and wood spice meet gliding tannins and fresh acidity in a rich Calistoga red.

Cakebread Cabernet Franc layers blackberry, boysenberry and cherry with violet, bay leaf, fennel and baking spice over firm tannins and bright acidity.

94+pt - Wine Advocate. Adelaida Viking Vineyard Cabernet shows cassis, black cherry and tobacco with roasted bell pepper, allspice and peppercorn.

Buoncristiani's 2021 Malbec layers blackberry, boysenberry, plum and dark cherry with violets, baking spice, sage and cedar over fresh acidity and dusty tannins.

Bravante's 2021 Trio blends Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, showing smoky pepper, bright fruit and a smooth, full-bodied Howell Mountain profile.

Pangloss's 2021 Optimist Society Cuvee is a Sonoma Super Tuscan-style red shaped by patient, minimal-intervention cellar work for a restrained, site-focused expression.

94+pt - Reverse Wine Snob. This Rutherford red layers blackberry, graphite, violets, baking spice, cedar and cocoa. Juicy acidity and firm tannic grip lead into a long, dry, juicy and lightly dusty finish.

Lambert Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon offers cassis, blackberry and dark cherry with cedar, graphite and savory herbs, framed by firm tannins and fresh acidity.

95pt - James Suckling. Frank Family's Rutherford Reserve combines red and black fruit with violet, espresso and black currant. Mouthwatering acidity and velvet tannins shape a long, polished finish with lift.

Rated 94 points by Wine Advocate, the 2021 Black Stallion Bucephalus blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot. It shows cassis, black cherry, tar, black olive, firm tannins and a lingering finish.

From Napa Valley’s eastern slopes, this bold yet balanced Cabernet blend opens with dark chocolate-dipped berries and mocha. Blackberry pie, dark plum and concentrated fruit compote meet lush tannins before a long, silky finish.

Awarded 95 points by Ken's Wine Guide. The 2021 Illation by Brandon Gregory is a Knights Valley blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Dark chocolate, blackcurrant, graphite and boysenberry meet red plum, clove, black tea, thyme and red licorice, framed by refined, dusty tannins and a long finish.

Sugarloaf Cabernet layers boysenberry jam, raspberry pastry and juniper with black currant and black cherry. Mineral tannins.

95-97pt - Wine Advocate. Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet layers blackberry, cassis and cherry with cedar, mint and pepper over bright fruit and angular tannins.

97pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Aida Estate Cabernet offers dark red and blue fruit with tobacco, scorched earth and graphite. Layered texture and ripe tannins frame a pure, focused finish.

95pt - Wilfred Wong. This Three Palms Merlot offers savory spice, desert-rock minerality and jammy berries. Fine tannins frame blackberry, cherry, molasses and wet slate on a graceful, lingering finish.

Rated 99 points by James Suckling, the 2021 Opus One is an age-worthy Napa Valley red with violets, cherry blossom, blue and black fruit, blackcurrant, blueberry, cinnamon, graphite, fine-grained tannins and a long polished finish.

100pt - James Suckling. The 2021 Cariad layers graphite, black currant, black olive, orange peel, dried violet and iodine. Tight and polished, it carries crushed-stone minerality over a seamless cashmere texture.