Kirsch liquor, orange peel, red licorice, and sandalwood. Whirling brings crème de cassis, rhubarb, cherry compote, green olive tapenade, and dry herbs. The mouthfeel is playful and mouthwatering, with tons of red fruit, citrus, and savory tones. The mid palate is lively, with a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, and remarkable texture and finesse. The wine finishes vibrant, with a kiss of red fruit sweetness, spice, and a mellow grip to make you crave another sip. Beautiful now, you can enjoy this deal of a wine for the next 8 years.
The Vineyard
Gård Vintners wines are 100% estate grown sustainably at Lawrence Vineyards, featuring 14 distinct vineyard sites. With elevations that range 870 feet to 1,675 feet and primarily south-facing slopes, Lawrence Vineyards provide a great framework for grape production, while the diversity of each of the locations delivers a high level of complexity to Gård wines. Lawrence Vineyards is certified sustainable.
The Winemaking
This is stainless steel fermented, with extended maceration. Aged in stainless steel for 14 months.
Specs
Vintage: 2021
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah
Vineyard: Solaksen
Alcohol: 13.5%
Release Date: Fall 2024
Winemaker: Matías Kúsulas
Cases Produced: 1600
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x - 2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Slope
Case:
12x - 2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Slope
Gård, meaning “farm” in many of the Scandinavian languages, is a tribute to our family’s Scandinavian heritage and farming tradition.
Our mission at Gård is to capture and bottle the unique characteristics of the land we farm. We humbly craft value-driven, award-winning wines from our sustainable estate vineyards to create lasting memories for our customers. Gård Vintners is dedicated to crafting world-class wines from its sustainably farmed estate vineyard on the Royal Slope of Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA. We produce 6,000 cases a year for our wine club, three tasting rooms and select distribution in the northwest and across the country.
Founded in 2006, Gård Vintners is a family-owned and operated estate winery in the heart of Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA, with vineyards on the Royal Slope, wine production in Walla Walla, and tasting rooms in Woodinville, Walla Walla, and Ellensburg.
The winery was founded by Josh and Lisa Lawrence, along with Josh’s dad John Lawrence and uncle Sandy Lawrence, who had farmed the Royal Slope for more than 40 years. The winery and estate vineyard is now owned and operated by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Happy to step in for a quick emergency rattage for the Gard Vintners 2021 The Don.
A Cabernet and Syrah blend from Washington. This one is an easy rattage as Gard is well known and well received here on Casemates. For those who know Gard, this won’t disappoint. For those who have wondered about Washington Cab, it’s a nice intro. Quick take: gentle, fruit forward with earthy notes. Good balance. Rounded and ready now.
In the glass, it is a very dark ruby with purple tones. Highly aromatic, I got a glass full of earthy cassis, stone and tell tale Syrah gamey fruit aromas. There is a bit of herb or garrigue here too. The entry is gentle, fruit forward, but the medium acidity pops right in to ensure you pay attention. As plum and dark berry pie fruit spread across the palate, you’ll feel the soft and subtle tannins. The finish lingers and is dominated by ripe dark fruit.
At 13.5% alcohol, it’s big in the mouth, but not really a big wine. I can see this as a sipping wine or paired with food. The menu for tonight was penne al ragu, and the wine was well suited to the meat sauce. The acidity matched up with the tomato and the tannins leaned into it when pushed to accompany food. Although, I might choose a bit more structured wine for roasts and steaks.
Hope this helps. Glad to answer any questions. Cheers!
Owen Bargreen:
90 points. A really good wine for the price, this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has a small amount of Syrah blended in. Coming from the Royal Slope AVA, this offers raspberry cordial, wet stone and freshly tilled soils on the palate alongside dried herbs. Enjoy now to 2029 July '24
91 points from Vinous, Eric Guido. The review behind a paywall, but he had this to say:
Tasting the 2021s from Gard, it was immediately obvious that something had changed. That change was the hiring of Matías Kúsulas as head winemaker as of 2021. In the past, this portfolio was dependable and of suitable value, yet it lacked in depth and complexity. That is no longer the case. Kúsulas brings over 15 years of experience in vineyards and wineries around the world, along with the discipline, constitution and leadership qualities that come from his experience as a Chilean Marine in the Special Forces. Kúsulas is a serious individual with a fun-loving side, and he’s managed to impart that same spirit into the Gard portfolio. There’s also more of an Old-World or old-school California feel to the Bordeaux varieties that I find wildly attractive. I’m excited to see what is in store for Gard as Kúsulas gets more comfortable in the role. This is a seriously strong set of new releases, and I urge anyone who loves Washington State wines to check them out.
International Wine Report:
91 points. The 2021 The Don from Gard is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Syrah and pours a dark purple core with a brickish rim. An incredible bottle of wine for only $22, you are guaranteed to love the bold notes of dusty purple fruits, black pepper, white tobacco leaf, olive brine, and leafy herbs. Tannins are sweet but present, finishing with black fruits and spice tones on the back palate. 1600 cases made. Best Buy. Drink 2024 - 2030 Jeremy Young
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvigon - $40 = 21.05%
2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Slope
90 pts – Owen Bargreen
91 pts – Jeremy Young, Int’l Wine Report
91 pts – Critic’s Choice - Sean Sullivan
Sensory Notes
The Vineyard
The Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$302.40/Case for 12x - 2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Slope at Gård
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 8 - Wednesday, Jun 10
2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvigon
6 bottles for $94.99 $15.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
/giphy lethargic-freaky-wood
Happy to step in for a quick emergency rattage for the Gard Vintners 2021 The Don.
A Cabernet and Syrah blend from Washington. This one is an easy rattage as Gard is well known and well received here on Casemates. For those who know Gard, this won’t disappoint. For those who have wondered about Washington Cab, it’s a nice intro. Quick take: gentle, fruit forward with earthy notes. Good balance. Rounded and ready now.
In the glass, it is a very dark ruby with purple tones. Highly aromatic, I got a glass full of earthy cassis, stone and tell tale Syrah gamey fruit aromas. There is a bit of herb or garrigue here too. The entry is gentle, fruit forward, but the medium acidity pops right in to ensure you pay attention. As plum and dark berry pie fruit spread across the palate, you’ll feel the soft and subtle tannins. The finish lingers and is dominated by ripe dark fruit.
At 13.5% alcohol, it’s big in the mouth, but not really a big wine. I can see this as a sipping wine or paired with food. The menu for tonight was penne al ragu, and the wine was well suited to the meat sauce. The acidity matched up with the tomato and the tannins leaned into it when pushed to accompany food. Although, I might choose a bit more structured wine for roasts and steaks.
Hope this helps. Glad to answer any questions. Cheers!
Owen Bargreen:
90 points. A really good wine for the price, this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has a small amount of Syrah blended in. Coming from the Royal Slope AVA, this offers raspberry cordial, wet stone and freshly tilled soils on the palate alongside dried herbs. Enjoy now to 2029 July '24
91 points from Vinous, Eric Guido. The review behind a paywall, but he had this to say:
Tasting the 2021s from Gard, it was immediately obvious that something had changed. That change was the hiring of Matías Kúsulas as head winemaker as of 2021. In the past, this portfolio was dependable and of suitable value, yet it lacked in depth and complexity. That is no longer the case. Kúsulas brings over 15 years of experience in vineyards and wineries around the world, along with the discipline, constitution and leadership qualities that come from his experience as a Chilean Marine in the Special Forces. Kúsulas is a serious individual with a fun-loving side, and he’s managed to impart that same spirit into the Gard portfolio. There’s also more of an Old-World or old-school California feel to the Bordeaux varieties that I find wildly attractive. I’m excited to see what is in store for Gard as Kúsulas gets more comfortable in the role. This is a seriously strong set of new releases, and I urge anyone who loves Washington State wines to check them out.
International Wine Report:
91 points. The 2021 The Don from Gard is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Syrah and pours a dark purple core with a brickish rim. An incredible bottle of wine for only $22, you are guaranteed to love the bold notes of dusty purple fruits, black pepper, white tobacco leaf, olive brine, and leafy herbs. Tannins are sweet but present, finishing with black fruits and spice tones on the back palate. 1600 cases made. Best Buy. Drink 2024 - 2030 Jeremy Young
fwiw
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Gård Vintners “The Don” Cabernet Sauvigon - $40 = 21.05%