Every year when I arrive at my home-away-from-home in Yountville, Jodi and Mac, my wonderful hosts leave me a welcome gift. Sometimes it’s chocolate. Sometimes it’s cheese. But this year—it was wine. The 2021 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District. Cue heavenly choir. I mean, when in Rome… or in this case, Napa.
After a fabulous dinner at Charlie’s in St. Helena (where we may or may not have over-ordered appetizers), my friend Jen and I decided to head home early and enjoy the wine by the fire pit. And just because I never miss a chance to turn wine into content, I decided to interview her.
Let’s just say there was a little wine, a lot of laughs, and a few “creative liberties” taken on Jen’s responses (approved post-sip, of course).
Tracey: Jen, swirl the glass and tell me what you see.
Jen: I see red wine.
Tracey: …Would you like to expand on that profound insight?
Jen: Okay, fine. It’s the color of ripe plums—deep, velvety, and it’s clinging to the glass like it’s trying to make a good impression.
Tracey: Now take a sniff. What’s the first thing you smell?
Jen: Smells divine. Like, cozy sweater-weather divine.
Tracey: Any fruit in there?
Jen: Yep—plums again. Plums seem to be having a moment.
Tracey: Shut your eyes. Is it giving you a memory?
Jen: Yes. It’s giving me flashbacks to your giant sectional couch in Chicago—so many cozy nights and bad TV decisions.
Tracey: Take a little sip and hold it in the front of your mouth.
Jen: Ooh, whoa. That’s chalky, velvety, and a little chocolaty. Like a grown-up truffle with attitude.
Tracey: Now hold a sip on the roof of your mouth. What do you get?
Jen: Definitely more chocolate. Rich and smooth. Like if Cabernet had a velvet smoking jacket.
Tracey: This time hold it in your cheeks.
Jen: Like a chipmunk? Okay, if you say so.
Tracey: Trust the process.
Jen: Still chocolate, but now it’s giving me chalkboard vibes—in a good way? I don’t know why I keep saying chalk. It’s a texture thing. It sort of pulls your cheeks in. Cabernet contouring, if you will.
Tracey: Shut your eyes again and take a normal sip. Any feelings or visions?
Jen: It’s giving cozy fire, plush blanket, and introspective thoughts about the world.
Tracey: What food would you pair it with?
Jen: Oh, definitely a nice filet mignon. And a deep, philosophical conversation about the meaning of life. Or maybe just which Netflix show to binge next. Same difference.
[20 minutes and a few sips later…]
Tracey: So how are you liking this wine?
Jen: It’s so good. Rich, chocolaty, velvety—and apparently, it makes me philosophical, and I am now changing chalky to leathery. Or maybe that’s just your influence. Oh and I think I want to be on the back of a motorcycle with a bad-ass tattooed man who wears a leather jacket.
Tracey: Wait, not your husband?
Jen: Yes, my husband. He is a bad-ass, tattooed motorcycle guy. I just need to buy him the leather jacket!
Final Thoughts:
If you’re in the mood for something bold, smooth, and unexpectedly deep (kind of like Jen after her tasting), the 2021 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon delivers. It’s a fireside kind of wine—best enjoyed with a friend, an open fire pit, a blanket, and an open mind.
Thank you for the gift Jodi and Mac!
Wine Recap: 2021 Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon
A bold, velvety Cabernet from Napa’s famed Stags Leap District that brings deep plum flavors, rich chocolate notes, and a luxurious mouthfeel that somehow encourages philosophical thoughts and spontaneous couch nostalgia. Best enjoyed with someone who makes you laugh and lets you swirl without judgment.
Perfect Pairing:
Filet mignon, of course. Bonus points if it’s served next to a roaring fire and followed by a debate about whether “The Bear” is stressful or genius.
WINEMAKERS NOTES
The 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautifully aromatic wine, opening with toasty cedar, rich cherry jam, and red currant, accompanied by a subtle hint of herbs. On the palate, this flagship wine delivers concentrated flavors of cherry preserves, a touch of red licorice, and a distinctive minerality that adds depth and complexity. The wine is well-structured, showcasing the balance and elegance that define this exceptional Cabernet.
Stacey’s Rating… (My Ratings and What they Mean)
