2021 "Red Cap Vineyard" Cabernet (1 X 750 ML)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its eighth bottling of the Red Cap Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howell Mountain District. 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 the valleys eastern Vaca Range. 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.

Red Cap Vineyard, planted in 2003 and farmed biodynamically by the Altemus family, is located near the summit of Howell Mountain at an elevation of 1,900 feet. At this location, the Aiken loam and red rocky volcanic soils provide great root support and drainage. These mountain soils produce smaller berries with higher skin to juice ratio, deepening the color of the wine while increasing tannins. Howell Mountain is known for powerful tannins, however our winemaking team skillfully extracts just enough to produce a wine with rounded and balanced structure. Red Caps position above the fog line affords it a broad temperature range throughout the day. When compared to the valley floor, evening temperatures are warmer and daytime temperatures are cooler, which supports greater acid retention within the grapes. This combination of soil and environmental conditions leads to an extraordinary site for growing delicious Cabernet Sauvignon.

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 Red Cap Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon presents aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry rhubarb tart, and red apples, interlaced with nutmeg, cinnamon, earl grey tea and rose petal. A fleshy, full entry of blackberry, black cherry and vanilla carries to a generous mid-palate, and is supported to a focused finish with modest tannins.- Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies

Reviews

97 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Cap Vineyard is one of the most distinctive wines in the range. Celia Welch coaxes uncommon richness from this site while taming the Howell Mountain tannins admirably. A rush of dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender and pomegranate all build as the 2021 shows off its alluring personality. What a wine!- Vinous, May 2024
93 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Cap Vineyardfrom a site on Howell Mountainboasts notes of camphor and pine up front. It's on the more savory side of the Cabernet spectrum, with black olives playing a prominent role, but the AVA's classic blueberries still emerge on the full-bodied palate. It's decently concentrated, plush for a mountain wine, with a long, silky-textured finish.- Wine Advocate, March 2024
93 Points
Lush and generous, this wine delivers compelling flavors of red cherries, ripe plum, warming spices and sweet cocoa. Supple tannins and a pleasing mouthfeel continue into a long finish. Enjoy with a range of savory, autumn and winter foods.- Wine Enthusiast, September 2024

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