Gold Medal and 92pts from 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Intense and vibrant our 2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits aromas of dark fruits, black tea, tobacco, and green olives, accented with earthy spice notes. A hint of mountain forest, cedar oak, and dusty baking cocoa combine these aromatics to create this juicy and chewy, full-bodied Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with refreshing acidity and long legs, which makes a perfect accompaniment to any grilled meat dishes.
Winemaking
The grapes were handpicked at the beginning of October, de-stemmed, and crushed into small fermentation bins and allowed to cold soak for 3 days to help stabilize the color and enhance flavor. It was fermented for 16 days and punched down 3 times a day, with an additional 3 days of extended maceration to increase extraction of color and phenolic compounds. The wine is then gently pressed and aged on fine lees for 16 months in a mixture of 80% French and 20% American oak barrels with 40% new French oak to preserve the delicate notes and mouthfeel.
The 2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from some of the best Cabernet growing regions in Napa Valley, including the Truchard vineyard, located in Los Carneros and Canyon Hill Vineyard is located just south of Napa in the fertile valley of Franklin Canyon. A touch of Petite Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec balance the rich dark fruit and massive tannins of our 2021 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, adding a vibrancy to its lush mouthfeel and lingering dry finish and balanced acidity.
Petar Kirilov, founder and winemaker of Kukeri Wines, grew up in Bulgaria and graduated from the prestigious University of Food Technologies with a master’s degree in winemaking. He has worked at Truchard Vineyards, Meadowcroft Wines, and Foyt Wines as a winemaker, and created Kukeri Wines to focus on the production of small-lot quality wines from single vineyards.
Kukeri Wines source grapes from some of the most unusual vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. “We treat that fruit as gently as possible, producing small lots of quality wines that display the complexity, power, finesse, and specific terroir of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mount Veeder, and Pinot Noir from Petaluma Gap, Los Carneros, and Russian River Valley.”
Kukeri refers to a pagan Bulgarian ritual that may date back as far as 8,000 years to the ancient Thracians – and to Dionysus, the god associated with wine, fertility, and rebirth. The festival is replete with mystical symbolism, steeped as it is in a tradition representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Upon pop & pour, the nose and taste of the wine was quite tight & intense, but I could tell it was going to be a beautiful, complex wine after letting it breathe. The first sip was acidic, but fruit-forward. It has a rich, deep, cab color.
While having dinner and letting it breathe in its glass for about 30 minutes, the wine opened up beautifully. We paired it with a tri-tip steak & it was quite the match. As the nose of the wine settled down, the wine became extremely smooth. I picked up notes of black cherry, berry along with an earthy undertone. It quickly matured into a really delicious, full-bodied wine.
Given that it’s a young wine (2021), I can tell that this bottle is going to age just wonderfully. It’s a great wine right now, but likely to be a fantastic wine in a few years. I highly recommend popping this bottle and letting it breathe in your glass as you cook up a nice steak dinner to pair it with. Enjoy!!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $90 = 23.06%
@deanerino@jrbw3@ttboy23 I think a four way split will be great for this higher priced wine…you’re good! I also got the Brick Barn Mixed Reds, and the Schug Estate Grown Pinot Noir Mini Vertical if there is additional interest
Happy Thanksgiving all!
I had purchased Kukeri in another mixed offering. While fortunate to have storage and would not have opened it now, I decided to open a 2019 of the same wine.
As was posted, the first taste and smell was not that great. We decanted for three hours and what a difference! While the nose was still tame, the taste was GREAT! So, do not drink this wine without breathing.
Excellent, but the 2021 does need to be laid down for awhile. Since we can lay down for awhile, will be in for a case.
Welp, I guess I lose the “rat” lottery. Stay tuned for Monday! I wish it were a mixed case. As, I am kind of hoping for my future rattage offer. It is should be good, but not 12 bottles good, and the only people that share anymore have so many damn bottles.
Hi All,
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am really happy to share the 2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with the Casemates community. The wine is still young, but is drinking really well now or you can put it way for you years and enjoy later.
Thanks Again for Your Support and Have a Great Holiday Season!
Cheers
Petar @ KukeriWines
2021 Kukeri Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Gold Medal and 92pts from 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
====
$708/Case for 12x 2021 Kukeri Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley at Kukeri Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 18 - Tuesday, Dec 19
2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2 bottles for $64.99 $32.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Enjoyed the 2019 that was previously offered…
Black Friday offering?
@connorbush
Black Tie Day offering
Upon pop & pour, the nose and taste of the wine was quite tight & intense, but I could tell it was going to be a beautiful, complex wine after letting it breathe. The first sip was acidic, but fruit-forward. It has a rich, deep, cab color.
While having dinner and letting it breathe in its glass for about 30 minutes, the wine opened up beautifully. We paired it with a tri-tip steak & it was quite the match. As the nose of the wine settled down, the wine became extremely smooth. I picked up notes of black cherry, berry along with an earthy undertone. It quickly matured into a really delicious, full-bodied wine.
Given that it’s a young wine (2021), I can tell that this bottle is going to age just wonderfully. It’s a great wine right now, but likely to be a fantastic wine in a few years. I highly recommend popping this bottle and letting it breathe in your glass as you cook up a nice steak dinner to pair it with. Enjoy!!
In for a Duce…Nice Rattus
gaunt-slow-birch
Anyone want to share a case - Boston/So NH area?
@netcommsyn I would be interested…
@Shmoo99 OK I will order. Where are you located?
@netcommsyn OK great! I am in Franklin and can meet you half way somewhere?
@Shmoo99 MA or NH? I am in Newton MA area or Salem NH area. Jon
@netcommsyn I can meet you near Newton and bring cash - just let me know what day works for you!
@Shmoo99
@Shmoo99 Please contact me at telcomman at hotmail dot com. Wines arrived today at my shipping destination. Thanks Jon
@netcommsyn @Shmoo99 love to see the splits in action!
@netcommsyn will send an email now
@netcommsyn not sure if you got my email - would still love to do the split
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $90 = 23.06%
Really enjoy all the kukeri I’ve had.
Any houston peeps interested in a three way split?
@deadlyapp i know CM just sent an email out to other Houston residents. This case is spoken for.
#DMV splitters HMU(hit me up)!?! Or text me, won’t pull trigger on my own… too many bunny bottles in the den as it is…
Don’t think I can front, but if SE MI folks are down, I can do up to three in a split.
@jrbw3 I’ll buy it right now…
@jrbw3 @ttboy23
/giphy barbed-festering-lift
@jrbw3 @kasandrae @ttboy23 I’m in for a spilt if you need an extra number of bottles gone. No harm if you’ve already spoken for them all.
@deanerino @jrbw3 @ttboy23 I think a four way split will be great for this higher priced wine…you’re good! I also got the Brick Barn Mixed Reds, and the Schug Estate Grown Pinot Noir Mini Vertical if there is additional interest
Happy Thanksgiving all!
@deanerino @kasandrae @ttboy23 Happy Thanksgiving. Sounds perfect KaSandra. In for three.
@jrbw3 @kasandrae so far, you have lit up Michigan
I’d take some in SF if someone were organizing a case.
Anyone in the Sacramento area want split a case?
I had purchased Kukeri in another mixed offering. While fortunate to have storage and would not have opened it now, I decided to open a 2019 of the same wine.
As was posted, the first taste and smell was not that great. We decanted for three hours and what a difference! While the nose was still tame, the taste was GREAT! So, do not drink this wine without breathing.
Excellent, but the 2021 does need to be laid down for awhile. Since we can lay down for awhile, will be in for a case.
Welp, I guess I lose the “rat” lottery. Stay tuned for Monday! I wish it were a mixed case. As, I am kind of hoping for my future rattage offer. It is should be good, but not 12 bottles good, and the only people that share anymore have so many damn bottles.
Hi All,
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am really happy to share the 2021 Kukeri Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with the Casemates community. The wine is still young, but is drinking really well now or you can put it way for you years and enjoy later.
Thanks Again for Your Support and Have a Great Holiday Season!
Cheers
Petar @ KukeriWines