2021 "Simpkins Vineyard" Cabernet (1 x 750 mL)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its fourth bottling of the Simpkins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coombsville 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 southern end of the 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.

Located in Coombsville, the Simpkins Vineyard is managed by viticultuirst Mike Wolfe. Coombsville is a quiet area, in the southeastern corner of the Napa Valley, tucked up against the foothills of the Vaca Mountain Range, just outside of the Napa city limits. Coombsville wines can be recognized by their structured tannins, which provide excellent power and mouthfeel, along with underlying layers of earth and mineral flavors. The vineyard soil is rocky loam, providing good drainage and low nutrient concentration. Under these external stresses the vines work hard to produce a limited amount of high quality fruit.

Coombsvilles temperatures are moderated by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. Temperate daily highs and minimal heat spikes limit dehydration, preserve acidity levels, and create even ripening patterns. The vines bud early, and the grapes tend to be harvested later, making for a long, slow ripening period which promotes intensified flavors and layering in the finished wine.

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 Simpkins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has nuances of blackberry, baked blueberry, and dark hazelnut brittle, with undertones of mocha, and tobacco leaf. The palate opens with juicy plush brambleberry carried by a mouth-watering acidity. Baking spices and citrus black tea layers support a structured finish.- Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies

Reviews

95 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Simpkins Vineyards, from a site in Coombsville, marries the fruit intensity that is such a house signature with all the cool minerality typical of the appellation. Supporting beams of acid and tannin propel through a core of red-toned fruit, chalk, white pepper and crushed rocks. I especially admire the drive and energy here.- Vinous, May 2024
94 Points
A richly layered version, with boysenberry, plum and black currant reduction notes moving through, flanked by bittersweet cocoa, roasted apple wood and anise accents. There's a strong tarry aspect on the lengthy finish, where the fruit drips steadily. Very Coombsville- Wine Spectator's Insider Weekly - July 17, 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

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