Our Rating
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2001 “Swan Song” Cabernet Sauvignon represents a specific moment in California wine history. While many producers in the state were chasing ripeness and extraction during this era, this bottling captures a different philosophy entirely. Sourced from the precipitous, granite-laden slopes of North Yuba, it stands as a testament to the distinct terroir of the Sierra Foothills. At over two decades old, the wine challenges the perception that only coastal zones produce age-worthy Cabernet. The alcohol sits at a modest 13.4%, suggesting a cooler growing season or an early harvest decision intended to preserve freshness over sugar accumulation.
Renaissance Vineyard and Winery, often referred to as RVW, is located in the North Yuba AVA of Yuba County within the Sierra Foothills.
The winery sits in an area known for decomposed granite, elevation and structured, age worthy Cabernet. The property was established in the 1970s by the Fellowship of Friends as part of the Apollo community, with terraced vineyards carved into the granitic slopes between roughly 1,700 and 2,300 feet. Renaissance became the anchor producer in the region and played a major role in achieving AVA recognition in 1985.
The winery developed a reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon that delivered structure, acidity and site expression rather than overt ripeness. Large quantities of library stock remained cellared for years, enabling the selective re-releases under the Taken From Granite label once Beinstock reacquired specific lots.
Gideon Beinstock first became involved with the Fellowship of Friends through an interest in the writings of George Gurdjieff. He later joined the community in Oregon House and contributed to the planting of the Renaissance vineyards in the late 1970s.
After time in wine sales, he returned to Renaissance in the early 1990s as winemaker. His approach prioritized low intervention practices, organic farming and moderate alcohol levels. Many of the most respected Renaissance Cabernets from the 1990s and early 2000s were made under his direction.
Beinstock later co-founded Clos Saron with Saron Rice in 1999, a small Sierra Foothills estate focused on Pinot Noir, Syrah and mixed plantings.
Taken From Granite represents a curated selection of Renaissance library wines reclaimed by Beinstock, with Swan Song serving as one of the most notable releases.
Look
The wine displays the visual markers of its age. It sits in the glass with a deep garnet core that transitions to a broad, brick-orange rim. There is a fine sediment present, typical for an unfiltered wine of this maturity, which suggests careful decanting is necessary to ensure clarity in the glass.
Smell
The nose is tertiary and savory rather than fruit-driven. Aromas of dried black cherry and desiccated plum mix with notes of cedar box, loose-leaf tobacco, and dried thyme. There is a distinct mineral edge reminiscent of crushed gravel and graphite, which speaks directly to the granite soils of the vineyard. As the wine opens, faint hints of leather and dried rose petal emerge.
Taste
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and structured. The tannins have resolved into a fine, dusty texture that provides grip without astringency. The acidity remains bright and lifted, cutting through the savory density of the flavor profile. Notes of dried currant, tea leaf, and baking spice dominate, with a finish that is persistent and drying. The lower alcohol contributes to a sense of balance; the wine feels compact and detailed rather than heavy or warming.
The 2001 Taken From Granite “Swan Song” is a fully mature example of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. It has entered its plateau of maturity, where the primary fruit has receded to reveal complex secondary and tertiary layers. It offers a cerebral tasting experience that prioritizes structure and earthiness over power. While it is drinking beautifully now, the acid structure suggests it will continue to hold its form for several more years.
USA
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
13.4
Gideon Beinstock
1 hour
Now to 2030
RVW
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