Adaptation 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

There’s a lot of California Cabernet out there, but not all of it knows how to carry itself. Adaptation 2021 does.

It opens with a clear statement: blackcurrant, lilac, and ripe raspberry. No need to search for them—they’re right there, precise and confident. Then the mid-palate deepens into blackberry cobbler and fig, the kind of richness that feels earned rather than forced.

The structure is what makes it work. Plush, yes, but never loose. The tannins keep the wine standing tall, while a quiet line of espresso and cedar runs from start to finish. That discipline is what lets the fruit speak without the oak stealing the show.

This is a Cabernet built for presence. It has grip and polish in equal measure—enough to shine on its own, and enough restraint to let a meal take the lead.