Made by Thomas Rivers Brown since the first vintage, this 2021 is great. Marking the 12th vintage of Amoenus, it once again comes from Blossom Creek Vineyard located on the western side of Calistoga. The moderating temperatures of this vineyard located in the Black Mountain Gap are 10-15 degrees cooler than on the eastern side of the Calistoga Palisades which allows for gradual ripening and full maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon. “The wine balances velvety, plush black fruit and elegantly defined structure. The aromas jump from the glass in waves but stay very precise. The flavor here is both deep and broad, which speaks to the completeness of the wine at this early stage. The wine is inky and layered with classic varietal notes of cassis, blackberries, grilled bread, creosote, and spring flowers,” explains Thomas. 317 cases were produced.