J. Davies Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 750ML
Cabernet Sauvignon from Mountain District, California
Notes from the Winemaker
The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its eighteenth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from the historic Diamond Mountain vineyards they purchased in 1965. The estate vineyards were replanted to Bordeaux varietals beginning in 1994, and the J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was first released in 2004 (2001 vintage).
J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of two generations of the Davies family, the product of an intimate knowledge of a place and of a passion to create delicious red wine. The wine is named in honor of patriarch Jack L. Davies, who along with his wife, Jamie, revived the Schramsberg property and established the preeminent American sparkling wine house over 55 years ago.
The vineyard blocks, totaling 46 acres, are laid out in four isolated pockets ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in elevation. They include the two Schram sections, Napa Valleys first hillside vineyards, originally established in 1862 by Jacob Schram, the McEachran parcel, first planted by Colin McEachran in 1878, and the Claes parcel, dating back to 1984. These are the southernmost vineyards in the Diamond Mountain District AVA. Flanked by two cool creek canyons (Nash Creek to the north and Ritchie Creek to the south) and surrounded by compact coniferous and deciduous forests, the vines here produce late-ripening, richly concentrated fruit with average yields of just two tons per acre.
The long growing season in 2018 revealed a vintage with structure and concentration without being overripe. Despite a warm February, the growing season started off cooler than the past few vintages. A cool spring meant bloom lasted longer than usual, which resulted in a bountiful crop. Summer temperatures were moderate with fewer heat spikes than in recent years. Veraison started later as well, and as a result, harvest started two to three weeks later than in recent years. The result was fruit exhibiting firm tannins, with outstanding color and brightness.
Tasting Note
The 2018 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon opens with dense black plum, vibrant blackberry, rich cocoa and notes of black pepper, complimented by undertones of tobacco leaf and mountain sage. Flavors of marionberry, black cherry, baking spice and mocha lead to a lush and coating finish. Youthful yet integrated, tannins anchor the wines rich mouth-filling weight.- Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies
Reviews and Accolades
94 Points/Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies, from the Davies property on Diamond Mountain, is a potent, savory wine that is going to need a few years to fully come together. Savory herbs, cedar, tobacco and soil tones complement the dark fruit flavors admirably. This is the most reticent of the Davies vineyard designate Cabernets. Give it a few years in the cellar.
Checking in as 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance equal parts Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies sports a healthy ruby/purple color to go with bright red and blue fruits as well as notes of forest floor, spring flowers, candied orange, and Asian spices. Nicely textured on the palate, it has a kiss of chocolatey oak, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is a classy, complex Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from short-term bottle age and keep for 15 years or more.