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%
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
