2021 Realm Cellars ‘Houyi Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Houyi Vineyard is Realm’s estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Tucked away on the eastern side of Napa Valley, Pritchard Hill is home to some of the best-known wine names in the world. At an elevation of nearly 1300 feet, our 22 acre vineyard sits above the fog line, its vines soaking in the morning sun. The vineyard is full of dense, volcanic rock. These unique soils provide an environment for the vines to produce concentrated fruit. This wine is rich and complex yet soft and elegant. It is approachable in a way that runs counter to many mountain wines. A paradox…
James Suckling
A solid pure cabernet sauvignon with form and muscle tone that shows typical Pritchard Hill character. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lots of crushed stone. This needs some time to soften and open. Try after 2027.
Vinous
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is silky, delicate and very pretty. In that sense, it is a classic wine for this year. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint, tobacco and a kiss of French oak all grace this unusually supple, racy Cabernet Sauvignon. Beautifully persistent, the 2021 is all understateent and class. This is an especially mid-weight style for Pritchard Hill. Perhaps because of that, the new oak is a touch prominent.
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard comes from a great vineyard (which is now owned by Realm) on Pritchard Hill. Lots of gravelly earth and mineral as well as blue fruit, chocolate, leather, and violet notes emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with beautiful tannins and flawless balance. It's incredibly complex and brings plenty of mountain structure and concentration on the palate while holding onto a beautiful sense of finesse and elegance. It needs 4-5 years and will shine over the following two decades or more.