2021 Doren RESERVE
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley
Our First Ever Reserve Wine!
14.4% alcohol by volume | pH 3.7 | titratable acidity 6.0 g/L
4 barrels produced | 85 cases
Bottled: 3/28/25 | Released: 6/19/25 

Vintage: The 2021 growing season in Sonoma Valley was defined by challenges and rewards. A mild winter led to an early bud break as temperatures warmed. Spring brought mostly moderate weather, allowing vineyards to progress steadily. Significant drought conditions persisted in 2021, which concentrated flavors in the fruit due to reduced water availability. The harvest season arrived earlier than usual. Warm days and cooler nights during the summer months contributed to even grape ripening, showcasing notable acidity and depth of flavor. Berry sizes were smaller, with intense concentration, suitable for crafting expressive wines. Wines from the 2021 vintage in Sonoma Valley display vibrant fruit profiles, structured tannins, and balanced acidity. The drought conditions and timely harvest contributed to wines of exceptional quality, making this vintage a standout for collectors and enthusiasts alike. 

2021 marks the 12th vintage of Doren Cabernet Sauvignon and our first ever RESERVE wine. Our RESERVE label embodies elegance, featuring gold foil accents and the introduction of lavender flowers, symbolizing the natural beauty of the vineyards and their scenic surroundings. Sustainability is prioritized with the use of eco-friendly bottles made with 50% less glass, reducing transportation emissions and carbon footprint. 

Vineyard: Doren Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our family’s petite ½-acre vineyard in Kenwood, California, in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Starting with the 2016 vintage, Cabernet grapes are also sourced from the organically farmed Sobre Vista Vineyard in Glen Ellen, located nearby. Both vineyards are managed with sustainable and organic practices, ensuring the soil health and environmental preservation. We remain committed to keeping our vineyards free from chemicals and toxic substances, fostering a deep respect for the land.  

Winemaking: The grapes were hand-harvested on September 16th, starting in the cool darkness before dawn, at approximately 23 brix, and immediately transported to the urban winery in San Francisco. Upon arrival, they were hand-sorted, de-stemmed, and underwent a six-day cold soak with twice-daily punchdowns. Fermentation began naturally and progressed slowly over an additional 11 days, for a total maceration of 17 days. After fermentation, the free-run wine was gravity-drained, and the berries lightly pressed into four premium French oak barrels, including 25% new oak introduced in its last seven months of elevage. The wine matured in barrel for 41 months before being racked into stainless steel tank, and bottled unfined and unfiltered on March 28, 2025. After 3 months of bottle aging, the wine is to be released on June 19, 2025. This vegan-friendly wine involves no animal products in its production. 

Tasting Notes: The 2021 Doren RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon showcases a vibrant garnet hue and jumps out of the glass with aromas of ripe cherries and chocolate, backed by subtle hints of cedar, spice and forest. The wine is fresh and focused on the palate, driven by bright acidity and more ripe fruit flavors of cherries, currants, and red plums. A silky texture complements the wine's developed tannins, which lead to a long finish with notes of milk chocolate.

Enjoy this wine upon release, and it will continue to evolve gracefully through 2040. For best results, serve this wine at 60–65°F (15–18°C) and decant for 30 minutes prior to consumption to allow it to fully express its complexity. 

Food pairing: Grilled ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce, herb-crusted lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar or gouda cheeses.