Facets by Gemstone

Facets by Gemstone 2021 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Gemstone Vineyard in California, the winery's more approachable bottling. The 2021 season brought early rain, a long, warm summer with foggy mornings and a mild finish that kept the fruit fresh. Expect a concentrated, rich red with raspberry and cassis, cloves and cocoa, and soft, elegant tannins. Pour it with grilled steak or lamb. Delivered across Ontario.

The producer

Cabernet Sauvignon is at the heart of Gemstone Vineyard, which has made Napa Valley Cabernet for nearly three decades.

The vineyards

Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown sources the fruit from sought-after vineyards across Napa Valley. In 2021, plenty of early rain and a long, warm summer with few heat spikes and foggy mornings gave fruit with good colour, bright acidity and soft tannins.

How it's made

The grapes are picked by hand, sorted twice and cold-soaked in stainless steel before whole-berry fermentation. Malolactic fermentation and ageing take place in French oak barrels, mostly new, and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

How it tastes

Concentrated and rich, with bright raspberry and cassis fruit and notes of cloves and cocoa. The finish is long, with elegant, soft tannins.

How to serve it

Serve at 16 to 18°C with grilled steak, lamb or aged cheddar.