2021 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘RLC’
#41 on Jeb Dunnuck’s “Top 2021 Napa Bordeaux Blends”
94 Points: “Coming from a mix of rocky, loamy, clay soils (hence the RLC name), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RLC has a kiss of iron as well as ripe blue fruits, smoked tobacco, chocolate and leafy herbs. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied, perfumed, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon offering ripe tannins, a terrific sense of elegance, and a great finish. It’s another 2021 that competes with wines 2-3 times the price.”
- JEB DUNNUCK
Tasting Notes
The 2021 RLC is a beautifully dense garnet color, with aromas of blackberry, sweet tobacco leaf, vanilla and red plum jumping out of the glass. The rich, full-bodied palate is layered with cocoa nib, black currant, mulberry and sandalwood with an abundance of fine tannin leading to a persistent finish. This wine drinks well upon release, with the ability to age in the cellar for a decade or more.
Rock Loam Clay
Named for the variations of rock, loam and clay soils found throughout the Crocker Vineyard, RLC is the embodiment of Crocker & Starr as a concept. RLC is the third distinctive estate Cabernet Sauvignon from our St. Helena based Crocker Estate. The varying soil compositions in these vine blocks (east of our historic block 3) yield generous and supple grapes which in turn yield a plush and classic Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
St. Helena, Napa Valley
Cabernet Suavignon 100% 
Limited to just 482 cases 
22 months in French oak 2021 A.V.A Cabernet Franc Blend
#86 on Jeb Dunnick’s “Top 2021 Napa Bordeaux Blends Under $125”
93 Points: “Spiced red plums, black cherries, damp flowers, and leather are just some of the nuances in this puppy, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a ripe, forward, charming style that’s already hard to resit. I see no reason this shouldn’t evolve gracefully for 9-10 years.”
- JEB DUNNUCK
2021 Harvest Report
The 2021 season was one of exceptional quality and will be remembered for low yields with intensely flavored, small berries and incredible color. Here in St. Helena, rain started in January and then almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season. Budbreak was early April followed by flowering and bloom in May. The summer saw early and even ripening throughout. Harvest started on August 13th, picking Sauvignon Blanc and finished with the last red grapes coming in September 27th. Overall, the 2021 Crocker & Starr wines are showing brilliant concentration and intense color, which will lead to full-bodied, age- worthy wines.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby and purple in color, drawing the wine taster to enticing aromas of black raspberry, cardamom spice, tobacco, and savory herbs. The flavors and texture follow true to the aromas, with firm but friendly tannins and medium body, layered with black fruits and brown spices, finishing long on the palate. The beauty of this Cabernet Franc blend is that it drinks exceptionally well now and will cellar well for many years.
St. Helena, Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 54%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Malbec 11% Limited to just 362 cases Small lot fermentation, 22 months in French oak