2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill
Tasting notes
Deep garnet color with aromas of vanilla, black cherry, sage, and a hint of licorice. This Cabernet Sauvignon displays flavors of dark berry jam, baking spices, cardamom, finishing with silky tannins and powdered cocoa.
The Vineyards
Cecil De Loach has been farming the Russian River Valley for over 40 years and was among a small group of vintners that helped define this area as one of America’s premier growing regions. This Merlot was made from vines grown at Cecil’s Los Amigos Ranch, a vineyard in the Chalk Hill district of the Russian River Valley.
The Winemaking
Upon arriving from the vineyard, our Cabernet Sauvignon is gently destemmed and crushed before being moved to tank to begin fermentation. During this process, we carefully return fermenting wine onto its own “cap” of grape skins to extract all of the color, flavors, and tannins. We then press the remaining skins, and the resulting wine is aged for approximately 20 months in a combination of hand-selected American and European oak barrels.
Specs
Harvest Date: September 18, 2021
Estate Bottled: September 1, 2022
Aging: 20 months in French & American Oak, 30% new
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.45
TA: .66
Cases Produced: 3720
Winemaker: Jason De Loach
2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot, Chalk Hill
Tasting Notes
This single vineyard Merlot displays a deep garnet color. Aromas of ripe strawberries and Rabbiteye blueberries give way to caramel and cedar. Chocolate, cola and spice make this finish smooth and memorable.
The Vineyards
Cecil De Loach has been farming the Russian River Valley for over 40 years and was among a small group of vintners that helped define this area as one of America’s premier growing regions. This Merlot was made from vines grown at Cecil’s Los Amigos Ranch, a vineyard in the Chalk Hill district of the Russian River Valley.
The Winemaking
Upon arriving from the vineyard, our Merlot is gently destemmed and crushed before being moved to tank to begin fermentation. During this process, we carefully return fermenting wine onto its own “cap” of grape skins to extract all the color, flavors, and tannins. We then press the remaining skins, and the resulting wine is aged for approximately 20 months in a combination of 12 hand-selected American and European oak barrels.
Specs
Harvest Date: October 8-18, 2021
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.50
TA: .62
Estate Bottled: September 1, 2023
Aging: 20 months in French oak, 30% new
Cases Produced: 1200
Winemaker: Jason De Loach
What’s Included
6-bottles:
3x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot, Chalk Hill
3x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill
Case:
6x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot, Chalk Hill
6x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill
Hook & Ladder Winery continues the legacy of one of the Russian River Valley’s most influential wine families. Founded in 2003 by pioneering growers and vintners Cecil and Christine De Loach, and helmed today by their grandson, winemaker Jason De Loach, Hook & Ladder showcases the diversity of the appellation the family helped to define, in a portfolio of limited-production bottlings from their Russian River Valley estate vineyards. The name Hook & Ladder pays homage to Cecil De Loach’s 17-year career as a San Francisco firefighter.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Hook & Ladder Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot - $25 = 13.88%
I’m a little surprised by the silence on this one. Hook and Ladder makes great, restrained wines. Great dark fruit and not overly jammy or lots of RS.
Haven’t had in a few years but same ownership. And these wines are selling at retail for $30+ all day. I actually bought the Cab way back in 2020 for $16 a bottle.
I just opened the first bottle from the case I bought in August. As good as it is, I have a space problem and probably shouldn’t purchase another case right now.
2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill
Tasting notes
The Vineyards
The Winemaking
Specs
2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot, Chalk Hill
Tasting Notes
The Vineyards
The Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$492.00/Case for 6x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot, Chalk Hill + 6x 2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill at Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 8 - Tuesday, Dec 9
Hook & Ladder Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
6 bottles for $89.99 $15/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $154.99 $12.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Hook & Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Merlot
Previous offers:
8/30/25
3/31/25
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Hook & Ladder Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot - $25 = 13.88%
I’m a little surprised by the silence on this one. Hook and Ladder makes great, restrained wines. Great dark fruit and not overly jammy or lots of RS.
Haven’t had in a few years but same ownership. And these wines are selling at retail for $30+ all day. I actually bought the Cab way back in 2020 for $16 a bottle.
Hope I’m not missing something. Bought a case…
@MacMiami There was significant, favorable rattage on both of the previous offers this year. Maybe people are talked out…
@InFrom Ahhh - see that now! What I missed was those offers! Makes sense.
@MacMiami Yes, they’re both good. I however still have 10 bottles from the last case that I bought in my cellar.
I just opened the first bottle from the case I bought in August. As good as it is, I have a space problem and probably shouldn’t purchase another case right now.
“No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f**king Merlot!”
Been really enjoying the first case so much, went in for another