Barnett Vineyards 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District Napa Valley 1500ml Magnum

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate scored the 2021 Barnett Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon 96 points, and The Wine Independent scored it 96 as well. Rattlesnake is the top wine of Barnett Vineyards, a Spring Mountain estate owned by Fiona and Hal Barnett, and the 2021 is its most concentrated and powerful bottling.

It comes from Rattlesnake Hill, a small rocky knoll on the estate at 2,050 feet, above the fog line, and it’s 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested October 7 to 14, 2021, with winemaker David Tate selecting just 33.9% of the vintage’s Cabernet, for only 57 barrels. It was aged 22 months in French oak barrels from 14 different coopers, 93% new, and released in January 2023, at 14.9% ABV.

The Wine Advocate’s review: “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Estate Bottled is a special effort, loaded with hedonistic black cherries and black raspberries, plus captivating hints of sage and mint. By far the most concentrated of the Barnett 2021s, it’s full-bodied and rich yet somehow manages to be supple and elegant at the same time, with a long, refreshing finish.” The Wine Independent wrote: “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon erupts from the glass with powerful notes of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, and plum pudding giving way to wafts of lavender oil, crushed rocks, Chinese five spice, and tar. More approachable than might be expected for such a dark mountain wine, it shows no shortage of ripe tannins, suggesting at least two decades of potential longevity.” The Wine Advocate suggests a drinking window of 2025 to 2045.

The winery’s own notes: “The color of the 2021 Rattlesnake is near opaque purple. The nose is very intense, with blackberry pie, caramel, dark roast coffee, cola, and raspberry reduction pouring out of the glass. Under these intense aromatics hides some volcanic minerality and crushed violets. The wine is ultra rich, plush and powerful on the palate. Darker fruit comes out, mostly reduced cassis matched by intense dark chocolate. The tannins are big, chalky, and matched by the famous Spring Mountain acidity. This is an intense powerful wine that is barely starting to show the myriad of flavors it has to offer.” James Suckling gave it a lower 90, and a Napa Wine Project tasting noted “petrichor,” “water poured on hot slate rock,” and a “dusty aromatic character along with a light woodsy cedar note,” concluding that the wine “simply brings ‘more’ to the table and is in a league of its own in comparison to the other Barnett Vineyards bottlings.” The scores are for the 750ml bottle, and the magnum holds the same wine.

The 1.5-liter magnum holds two bottles’ worth, about ten glasses, and is the format to cellar: large formats age more slowly and gracefully, and a mountain Cabernet like this one benefits from time. Decant for two hours or more if you open it young, and serve with ribeye, lamb, braised short ribs, and aged cheeses.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Barnett Vineyards 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Barnett Vineyards (Fiona and Hal Barnett; winemaker David Tate) in the Spring Mountain District AVA, Napa Valley, California, from 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Rattlesnake Hill (2,050 feet, above the fog line), selected from 33.9% of the vintage’s Cabernet (57 barrels). Harvested October 7-14, 2021, aged 22 months in French oak (93% new, 14 coopers), released January 2023. 14.9% ABV. Presented in a 1500ml magnum, equal to two standard bottles.

Critics Reviews

Scores are for the 750ml bottle; the magnum holds the same wine.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 96 Points (January 2024):
“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Estate Bottled is a special effort, loaded with hedonistic black cherries and black raspberries, plus captivating hints of sage and mint. By far the most concentrated of the Barnett 2021s, it’s full-bodied and rich yet somehow manages to be supple and elegant at the same time, with a long, refreshing finish.” Drinking window 2025–2045.

The Wine Independent — 96 Points:
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon erupts from the glass with powerful notes of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, and plum pudding giving way to wafts of lavender oil, crushed rocks, Chinese five spice, and tar. More approachable than might be expected for such a dark mountain wine, it shows no shortage of ripe tannins, suggesting at least two decades of potential longevity.”

James Suckling — 90 Points:
“A fruity red with blackberries, dark cherries, blackcurrants and mocha on the nose follow through to a full body with creamy tannins and texture. Generous finish.”

Barnett Vineyards (winemaker’s notes):
“The color of the 2021 Rattlesnake is near opaque purple. The nose is very intense, with blackberry pie, caramel, dark roast coffee, cola, and raspberry reduction pouring out of the glass. Under these intense aromatics hides some volcanic minerality and crushed violets. The wine is ultra rich, plush and powerful on the palate. Darker fruit comes out, mostly reduced cassis matched by intense dark chocolate. The tannins are big, chalky, and matched by the famous Spring Mountain acidity.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Near-opaque purple. Blackberry pie, crème de cassis, black cherry, and raspberry reduction, with caramel, dark roast coffee, crushed violets, lavender, volcanic minerality, and five spice.

Palate
Ultra-rich, plush, and powerful, with reduced cassis, black raspberry, and dark chocolate, with big, chalky tannin and bright mountain acidity.

Finish
Long and refreshing, with sage, mint, crushed rock, and tar.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Ribeye and grilled steak
• Lamb and venison
• Braised short ribs
• Aged cheeses

Serving Note

Decant for two hours or more; serve at about 62-65°F.