Ah, the 2021 Goosecross Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley — now here’s a wine that knows how to tell a story as rich and layered as its flavours. This isn’t your everyday Napa Cab. No, sir. This is the meeting point where “Old Napa” charm shakes hands with the bold spirit of “New Napa,” wrapped in a velvet glove of modern style and down-to-earth warmth.

At the heart of this story are Dave and Christi Ficeli — partners in life and wine — who met over a shared love of great bottles (and maybe a memorable night at Bistro Jeanty). Christi, coming from the famed Coors family, combines her business acumen (thanks to years with the Gallo family and managing her own family’s wine distributorship) with a genuine passion for hospitality and legacy. Dave is a bona fide wine veteran with an MBA who’s worked building brands at Gallo, founded a marketing agency for boutique wineries, and managed operations for Jackson Family Wines. Together, they don’t just make wine; they nurture a family legacy rooted in Napa’s history and future.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Enter Bill Nancarrow — Goosecross’s “mad scientist” winemaker. Born in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay, Bill’s globe-spanning journey includes fine dining management in Cape Town, vineyard stewardship near London, Burgundy amorng others.

Keen for a Northern Hemisphere crush, Bill travelled to Napa Valley in 2001 to join Duckhorn Vineyards, renowned for its Merlot. He quickly seized an assistant winemaker role, advanced to lead winemaker for sister brand Paraduxx, and by 2007 became Executive Winemaker overseeing Duckhorn’s Napa Valley portfolio.

Speaking of terroir, the Goosecross estate vineyard sits in Yountville East, where ancient riverbeds and gravelly soils create a vineyard mosaic like no other. The warm up-valley sun balanced by cool San Pablo Bay breezes gifts this Cabernet with vibrant tannins, finesse, and just the right touch of energy.

Now, let’s talk about what’s in the glass. The 2021 Goosecross Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a captivating nose of blackberry, fresh-cut violets, cedar, and vanilla bean. It’s like walking through a blooming Napa garden with a hint of a cozy fireside chat. The palate bursts with luscious red currants, cherry cola, juicy blueberries, and a playful peppercorn spice that keeps your senses dancing. Balanced acidity and fine tannins bring it all home with a finish as smooth as a California sunset.

Drinking Goosecross feels like joining the Ficeli family at their welcoming table — serious about quality but not themselves. It’s a wine crafted with heart, hustle, and a little bit of mad science, perfect for those who appreciate Napa’s rich past and vibrant future.

2021 was a fabulous year for Napa Valley. Vinous Media awarded this year a 95-98-point score saying that "Two thousand twenty-one is a fabulous vintage in Napa Valley. That’s the good news. The not so good news is that production is down sharply, 30-50% in many cases." 

Aging: 26 months in French oak.

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot. Bright blackberry and fresh violets jump from the glass. Rich flavors of cherry cola, red currants, and blueberry dance with a spicy pepper kick. Smooth tannins and balanced acidity lead to a long, satisfying finish.

This wine from the Yountville region is the kind of Cabernet that brings a smile to your face the way a good single-malt Scotch will do – very harmonious, very structured, made for sipping slowly if you have the time to do that. The primary flavors are those of dark berries with a hint of mintiness that blends well with the woody, walnutty, savory undertones. The harmony of the wine extends to the finish, with the tannins so well-integrated you barely notice them except for their addition to the taste. ~92 Roger Morris, Wine Review Online

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