94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
92 Points - Wine Spectator
92 Points - James Suckling
90 Points - Decanter
The finish is long and expressive, with spiced fruit flavors that linger endlessly. Will drink well for another 10-15 years.
WINEMAKING
Upon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold-soaked in tank at 45˚F for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction. After inoculation with a select yeast, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82˚F, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins. For fermentation cap management, the juice was pumped over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. After fermentation and pressing, the 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral oak for 18 months before bottling. The blend is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2020 vintage was along and warm growing season, seasoned by a drought, which can often lead to a fantastic vintage. Bud break began in late March, leading to a Spring that had few showers and was relatively dry. Summer was steady, with heat spikes that pushed the vintage closer and closer. As we headed into Autumn, harvest was upon us quickly and we moved swiftly to bring in all the grapes to process and finish the season.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.8%
95 Points
Rich and full-bodied, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry. Notes of cocoa, cedar, and warm spice add complexity, while firm tannins and a touch of volcanic minerality reflect the bold characteristics of Calistoga’s terroir. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
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.
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.
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