93 Points - International Wine Report
93 Points - Owen Bargreen
Simply delicious! Pairs with anything from the meat aisle, from barbecue pork ribs, leg of lamb or big, hearty meals.
Winemaking
Home Ranch Vineyard delivered robust blueberry flavors and layers of silky tannins this vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon lots from neighboring vineyards in southern Sonoma Valley were blended in, resulting in a complex cuvée. The wine was aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak barrels from top coopers Darnajou, Taransaud and Bel Air.
Vineyard
The Home Ranch Cuvée is built on a core of clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Home Ranch Vineyard in southwest Sonoma Valley, planted by Sojourn proprietor Craig Haserot in 2002. Tight spacing and immaculate vine training result in evenly ripened grapes with tiny berries and loose clusters. Robust blueberry fruit aromas and big silky tannins distinguish Home Ranch Vineyard wines from most of its Sonoma Valley brethren.
Vintage
The 2018 Sonoma Valley vintage offered moderate weather, cool evening temperatures and a long, even growing season. The weather conditions were ideal and allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly over the course of summer and early fall. This allowed the grapes to gain flavor complexities and ripe tannins, while retaining natural acidity. The vineyards offered grapes of exceptional quality.
Analysis
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Vineyards: Home Ranch Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% berry-sorted Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Open-top fermentation, Native yeast
Aging: 70% New French Oak
pH: 3.73
TA: 6.1 g/L
Bottled June 2020
Cases Produced: 500
Alcohol: 14.6%
90 Points
Dark ruby red in the glass, and good swirl on the nose offers generous aromatics of cassis, black cherry and spice. It's supple body, gives way to red and dark fruit like plum, blueberry compote, dried prune, with anise and light spice flavors on the finish.
92 Points
A Nils' Venge Cabernet Sauvignon never disappoints! This powerhouse opens with pleasant aromas of evergreen, dark cocoa and coriander that delightfully entice your senses. Its enveloping and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around on the palate, finishing with flavors of baked rhubarb, ground peppercorn and all-spice.
Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds. Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish. Truly a chardonnay lovers Chardonnay.
