2021 "Criscione Vineyard" Cabernet (1 x 750 ml)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its second bottling of the St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. Building upon its experience with its home property on Diamond Mountain in the valleys western Mayacamas Range, this bottling represents the Davies teams effort with Cabernet Sauvignon from this famed mid-valley appellation. Second-generation Vintner Hugh Davies, VP of Winemaking Sean Thompson and Consultant Celia Welch have collaborated well together since 2008 in crafting Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, and they are very proud to present this unique vineyard-designate bottling from the 2021 vintage.

Approximately 20 miles north of the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, and nestled between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain ranges, lies appellation St. Helena. The hourglass shape of this appellations geography, and its distance from the cool waters of the Bay and the Pacific Ocean, set this historic location apart from any other growing region. Vineyards are located on ancient alluvial fans, that sweep toward the Napa River. Consistent heat is locked in during the day and is amplified by the hillsides; at night, that same slender width funnels moderating breezes to dramatically cool the vines, sometimes by as much as 40 to 50 degrees. This extreme shift in temperature helps the fruit retain ideal balance and acidity.

While largely unknown by consumers, this vineyard is held in high regard by those in the industry. Located in a small, quiet valley at the base of Howell Mountain, the east-facing vineyard benefits from the cooling breezes coming off the mountain and the Bell Canyon Reservoir. The soils are a Cortina Series alluvial gravel mix of red volcanic soils and obsidian. The property is 18-acres with roughly half under vine.

Following a second consecutive dry winter, springs bud break and flowering activity occurred two weeks earlier than normal. Vines would ultimately carry a light crop in 2021; summer heat spikes nudged the small-sized berries and clusters to even ripeness. Our Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began at the end of mid-September and carried into mid-October, delivering fruit with bright and balanced concentration.

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Tasting notes

Our 2021 Criscione Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has inviting aromas of black cherry, blueberry, ripe plum, and bramble berry, that entwine with hints of black tea, ground white peppercorn, violets, and a tinge of vanilla bean. A focused acidity carries flavors of cranberry, dark chocolate, baking spice, and coffee bean, to a juicy and lingering finish.- Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies

Reviews

95 Points
From a site at the base of Glass Mountain, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Criscione Vineyard offers terrifically pure and intense fruit essences reminiscent of blueberries and black cherries. It's full-bodied, soft and plush, cuddly stuff yet with enough structure to age at least another decade or so.- Wine Advocate, March 2024
94 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Criscione Vineyard, from a site in St. Helena, is bright, racy and quite exuberant. In other words, its classic St. Helena, in this case done with an extra dash of sleekness. Bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, mint, sweet spice and a dollop of French oak sweetness all take shape in the glass.- Vinous, May 2024
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