Rudd Crossroads 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley

The 2021 Crossroads Cabernet Sauvignon from Rudd Estate feels like a controlled exhale—relaxed in tone, but rich in intent. It opens on dried florals and wild sage, layering into lush black cherry and vibrant red currant that bloom without grabbing attention. Just enough nuance to pull you in. 

That fruit doesn’t ride without structure. A tactile frame of gravelly and cocoa tannins keeps the mid-palate fresh, while a guiding acidity adds length. There’s a final lift of sweet spice, small enough to feel graceful, rounding this out into something more than the sum of its parts. 

The wine is rooted in Oakville’s signature season—modest spring temperatures followed by rising summer heat, leading to an early, yet balanced, harvest starting August 27. Organically farmed estate fruit, and a thoughtful oak plan (47% new, 53% neutral) pushes flavor without weight. 

The final blend—88% Cabernet Sauvignon with petite doses of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot—yields juiciness wrapped in defined structure. It’s layered, but framed; expressive, but focused. Tasting notes from critics echo this: boysenberry, mulberry, anise, and violet notes hover over a precise graphite spine. 

This isn’t a wine demanding the spotlight. It works through poise—structured energy you settle into, not get swayed by. Oakville in confident translation: inviting, coherent, and perfectly timed for conversation.