Deep ruby-garnet color; blackberry, dark cherry, blackcurrant, plum, black olive, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, cedar, oak spice on the nose and palate.
Dry; grippy tannins; integrating acidity (3.7 pH; 6.1 g/L TA). Decant or hold until 2028. Full body, very firm structure, but smooth in the mouth after decanting. Wine is 100% cab, grapes hand-harvested at night to ensure cool temperatures. Berries cold soaked to draw color and flavors. Fermented in open-top steel tanks. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 14.9% ABV
Napa’s 2021 season experienced drought that resulted in smaller, thicker-skinned berries. That naturally resulted in more concentration and structure in its cabs—this is an example. The harvest was earlier than usual. While it spent time in new French oak, the wood is well done. The wine has focus, energy, and lush dark fruit rather than heft and burly power.
According to the website: “Ride & Ridden is the product of a unique collaboration between industry veteran and founder David Green, and renowned Texas-based artist and photographer Steve Wrubel. Meeting in their early twenties, it wasn’t until 2021 that their professions, and passions, merged. This collaboration of art and wine has produce a wine that embodies pedigree without pretense. Through meticulous sourcing and world-class winemaking, Ride & Ridden offers a diverse portfolio of Cabernet wines that are both high-quality and approachable.”
The winery makes four cabs from different cab vineyards—Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma, and California. Each of the four labels features a photograph of a different rodeo cowboy. This Napa effort features Rocker Steiner, a cowboy from a legendary rodeo family. Steiner enjoyed a record-setting rookie year, is a two-time NFR Qualifier (the website notes “so far”) and finished fifth in the world standings in 2023. Steiner was Wrubel’s first subject for his western art series, photographing Steiner in 2019 when Steiner was just 15 years old.
Ride & Ridden Ride Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2021 delivers dark fruit richness and depth, particularly impressive after decanting. Delicious effort that drinks like a Napa cab three-digit pour. Collaboration between David Green, a talented veteran winemaker and Steve Wrubel, well-regarded Texas artist and photographer. $45
Pairing—Grilled and roasted red meats; ribeye steak, filet mignon, New York strip, porterhouse. Lamb, rack of lamb, lamb chops, grilled lamb. Venison, wild boar, duck. Portobello mushroom with butter and garlic, roasted vegetables. Cheese—Aged, hard cheeses; aged cheddar, aged gouda (18 months), gruyère, Alpine cheeses; sheep’s milk cheeses, ossau-iraty.