The 2021 Patria Ranch Avoyelles Proprietary Blend, hailing from the esteemed Oakville sub-appellation in Napa, California, is a red wine that has garnered significant praise from wine critics. This wine is a blend comprising 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged for 22 months in new French oak.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, describing it as having a "dense purple hue" with "sensational aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy oak, graphite, dark chocolate, and a beautiful earth, forest floor-like character." Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's full-bodied and concentrated nature, calling it "borderline perfection" and a "heavenly bottle of wine" that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and continue to impress for the following two decades. According to Dunnuck, this wine is a standout that combines complex flavors with a remarkable purity.
Vinous also rated the 2021 Avoyelles highly, giving it 97 points. Their review highlights the wine's "strong, savory and floral notes" that emerge first, followed by a gradual build-up of weight and intensity. Despite its robust character, the wine maintains a balanced profile, showcasing the harmonious integration of its components. The publication notes that this young, potent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is well-structured and poised for aging.
Both reviews underscore the wine's superb craftsmanship and aging potential. While Dunnuck's review leans towards a more poetic description, calling it "borderline perfection," Vinous offers a more measured take, appreciating the balance and gradual unveiling of the wine's intensity.
In summary, the 2021 Patria Ranch Avoyelles Proprietary Blend is a highly acclaimed red wine with complex aromatics, robust structure, and excellent aging potential. Its composition and aging process contribute to its depth and balance, making it a noteworthy choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.