Caterwaul is a wine project created by Thomas Rivers Brown and viticulturist Matt Hardin. They worked together for many years in the wine industry before deciding to start their own venture together. Having access to exceptional fruit throughout Napa Valley, this is one great buy. The palate experience has an interwoven dark fruit core with lively peripheral notes that lean more towards brambly red fruit. Notes of blackberry paste, leather and cocoa nib dominate the mid palate while the lengthy finish expresses brighter notes of raspberry, dark cherry, and blueberries. The sleek mouthfeel is framed by finely integrated tannins and a balanced acidity, allowing for immediate enjoyment or a little time in the cellar. Like many of the finest vintages in Napa and Sonoma counties, 2021 was marked by high quality and low yields. Throughout the early growing season and into late Spring this area received almost no precipitation, continuing another year of drought conditions. The vines responded appropriately, setting a small crop load. Specific vineyard practices we instituted included leaving extra leaf coverage in the fruiting zone to protect the small berries and clusters from excessive exposure to heat and direct sunlight.