Last night felt like one of those evenings where you drop your bags at the door, kick off your shoes, and reach for a wine that reminds you why you fell in love with this industry in the first place. No obligations, no tasting grids, no blind flights—just me, a ribeye, and a bottle of 2021 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.
I’ve had a history with Pride. Their vineyards sit high on Spring Mountain—literally straddling the Napa and Sonoma county line. If you’ve never been up there, picture a ridge with views so gorgeous they make you stop mid-sentence. I’ve visited dozens of mountain vineyards across the globe, from France to Brazil and back home to California, but Pride has this calm confidence about it. It’s like walking into a locker room before a big match—you just know greatness is happening behind those doors.
The First Pour: “Alright… this is going to be fun.”
Right away, that deep, almost inky purple color told me this wasn’t a shy wine. I gave it a swirl—more out of habit than anything—and the aromas came up like they’d been waiting for me: blackberry compote, black cherry, roasted espresso, a little cocoa, and that unmistakable mountain-earth signature. If Napa Cab is the seasoned quarterback, then mountain Cab is that muscular rugby lock who still somehow runs a 40-yard dash like he’s floating.
The Taste: Bold, Balanced, and Unapologetically Mountain-Born
The first sip hit with a burst of dark fruit—blackberry, black currant, and plum—then quickly pivoted to savory notes: graphite, dark chocolate, a little tobacco leaf, and warm spice. What really surprised me, though, was the balance. Some mountain wines come at you full force, like a linebacker with something to prove. But this one? It had power and finesse.
That 53% Sonoma / 47% Napa split matters more than most think. Sonoma brings the lift—freshness, acidity, and structure. Napa brings the muscle—ripe fruit, richness, and polish. Together, it’s like watching two all-star players who suddenly realize they score even better as a duo.
The Food Pairing (AKA: My Ribeye Met Its Match)
I’d grilled a ribeye earlier—simple salt and pepper, nothing fancy. The fat of the steak melted into the wine’s tannins like they’d rehearsed the move before. Every bite, every sip, the flavors got better. If you’ve ever paired a wine and felt like the food and the glass were high-fiving each other, that was my dinner.
Value & Would I Buy It Again?
Pride typically lands around $70–$90, depending on the shop. Look, I’ve bought wines at that price that felt like I was paying rent on someone’s marketing budget. This isn’t that. This bottle earns its tag.
Would I buy it again?
Without hesitation.
This is the kind of Cab you keep in your lineup, especially for people who appreciate mountain structure.
The “Aha” Moment
Halfway through my glass, I realized something: this is why I still love wine after all these years. I’ve tasted bottles from eight different countries I’ve lived in, studied in France, worked at one of the world’s most iconic Châteaux, run tastings across the Americas—but a simple night at home with a great bottle still hits harder than any textbook lesson.
Wine humbles you that way. Just when you think you’ve got it all mapped out, a bottle like this steps in and says, “Sit down, Jeff. I’m not finished teaching.”
Final Thoughts: Who This Wine Is For
This is for the Cab drinker who:
- Likes power, but wants elegance
- Enjoys Napa richness but appreciates Sonoma freshness
- Loves dark-fruit-driven wines with polished structure
- Wants a bottle that feels special without needing a special occasion
If you enjoy wines like Faust, Mt. Brave, Joseph Phelps, or Chappellet, this Pride Cab will feel like a natural extension of your palate.
