Courtney Benham
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
, Oakville
Napa Valley

93 Points, James Suckling

Aromas of dark chocolate, mahogany, blackcurrants and black licorice. Polished and rich with a dense and deep core of black fruit.  Ripe, muscular tannins with a Chocolatey finish.  Classic Oakville, this Cabernet is powerful and earthy, backed by lush tannins, backed by Elderberry, Wild Blueberry, Black Raspberry, Cocoa Powder, Licorice Root, Leather and well-integrated tannins from the heart of the Napa Valley floor.

VINEYARDS
Fast gaining a reputation for producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The rocky clay, loam and basalt soils have a heavy iron influence providing structure, power and depth with expressive fruit character and lush tannins.

WINEMAKING NOTES
Maintained moderate temperature during fermentation until dry, then basket pressed into 40% new oak for 18 months.

VINTAGE
Although yields were cut short in 2020, particularly for red wines, as the intensely dry, low-yielding growing season helped deliver some intensely concentrated grapes, many were able to produce some deeply impressive wines capable of long-term cellaring.  And precisely because there won't be a lot of 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon around in years to come, collectors are already snapping up the few beautiful wines that were made.

Consulting Winemaker:  Keith Emerson
Varietal Composition:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:  Oakville, Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 26th, 2020
Aging:  Aged in 40% new French oak for 18 months.
Brix:  26.1
pH:  3.65
TA:  5.9 g/L
Alcohol:  14.9%

Tasting Notes  PDF

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