2021 Hertelendy Legend
100 Points Napa Wine Project
This stellar 100 point Hertelendy Legend is incredible and very limited quantity. If you are interested in purchasing this wine, please log in to acquire your allocation when the time comes. If you are not on our allocation list yet, you may join our Wait List or feel free to also email us at [email protected].
100 pt rated Napa Wine Project (88 cases produced)
90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Petit Verdot
Barrel aged 23 months in 90% New French and Hungarian Oak
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Napa Valley
Aging
23 months - 90% new French and Hungarian Oak
Alcohol %
14.70
Robert Parker
97
Wine Advocate
97
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
"The 2021 Hertelendy Legend Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby and opaque; the bouquet sports scents of blackberry at the peak of its ripeness and reminded us of harvesting these fruits in our youth in mid summer. If also offers aromas of Santa Rosa plum and a sweet tobacco spice. The palate is bright, energetic and highlights flavors of red plum, blackberry, currant and red cherry. The tannins linger with a moderate and drying grip on the energetic finish, and as Ralph pointed out contribute a fleshy character to the wine. Their presense is long lasting and far outpaces the fruit at this age. Complex, layered and persistent, this wine in particular needs some time to open in its youth and those who are patient will be richly rewarded.
If this wine was a boxer, it would be Oakland’s own Andre Ward, a fighter who was undefeated during his professional career and punched with power yet danced with grace. Only three barrels were produced. For reference we tasted this in early 2024 prior to its release that same year in the fall. Our rating: 100 points. This will be the first, only and last point score we ever give to a wine on the Napa Wine Project. This wine is certainly deserving of such a distinction, and Ralph has more than earned it." — Napa Wine Project, 100 Points
Awards
"The 2021 Legend Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted as a barrel sample. Deep purple-black in color, it flows easily from the glass with notes of blackberry pie, chocolate-covered cherries, and blackcurrant cordial, giving way to wafts of mint tea, fragrant earth, and truffles. The full-bodied palate is so lively and shimmery, with vibrant black and blue fruits and an earthy undercurrent, supported by a solid frame of grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced." — The Wine Independent, Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Master of Wine), (98-100) Points
Vineyard Notes
"The 2021 Hertelendy 'Legend' is simply outstanding in this vintage. It immediately opens up to seductive nuances of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and blackberries, which are woven together with graphite, fresh florals, wild herbs and dark cocoa shavings that round out the intoxicating aromatics. On the palate this offers incredible full-bodied richness with beautifully round, polished tannins that results in a gorgeous mouthfeel that is utterly seamless. It continues to impress as it demonstrates wonderful overall balance and finesse, as it delivers layers of delicious ripe red and dark fruits, along with dark chocolate flavors that all build up to the long graceful finish. This is absolutely stunning now and will be ready to approach upon release, however it should also cruise in the cellar and continue to evolve over the next two decades." — International Wine Report, 98 Points
Production Notes
"An amazing wine from this great vintage, the 2021 Hertelendy ‘Legend’ is a gorgeous barrel-select bottling that is extremely dark in the glass. Black raspberry and chocolate cake flavors combine with tar and tobacco leaf on the palate. Rich and dense, with fantastic flavor density, verve and length, and stony accents, this really needs another year in the bottle for everything to come together — but you can see the incredible potential here. Drink 2025-2050." — Owen Bargreen, 98 Points