Erikson & Caradin, Raptor & Crimson Cabernet Sauvignon, NV

Erikson & Caradin was founded by passionate collectors who sought to source top-tier Cabernet Sauvignon from prestigious Napa AVAs (like Oakville, Atlas Peak, and Diamond Mountain). The brand began with a tiny 2013 release of just 85 cases. Today, they remain a boutique, craft-focused winery, led by acclaimed winemaker Kevin Morrisey, whose pedigree includes stints at legendary estates like Château Pétrus, Stags' Leap, and Etude. The "Raptor & Crimson" series is their innovative take on a non-vintage (NV) blend, aimed at providing high-end Napa quality at a more accessible price point. Unlike most Napa Cabernets which are strictly tied to one harvest year, this wine is a multi-vintage blend. This wine is made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American Oak for 18 months. This non-vintage opens with a bouquet of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and cassis, accented by delicate notes of vanilla, cedar, and toasted baking spices. On the palate, the wine is rich and velvety, layering dense flavours of blackcurrant and plum with sophisticated notes of espresso, cocoa, and a hint of savoury black pepper. Pair this bold Cabernet with a rosemary-crusted ribeye steak or grilled portobello mushrooms to complement its savoury depth and velvety tannins.