2022 "Simpkins Vineyard" Cabernet (1 x 750 mL)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its fifth 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 the valleys southern end of the Vaca Range. Second-generation Vintner Hugh Davies, Head Winemaker 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 2022 vintage.

The Simpkins Vineyard is located in Coombsville in the southeastern corner of the Napa Valley. The AVA is 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.

The 2022 vintage began with over 20 inches of rain from October to December, followed by mostly dry conditions from January to March. After a frosty spring and some hail events, we welcomed a warmer summer. A record-breaking September heat wave kicked harvest into full swing. This distinctive weather pattern contributed to the diverse flavor profile for which Napa Valley cabernets are celebrated, ranging from vibrant and elegant to dense and powerful.

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Tasting notes

Our 2022 Simpkins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of açaí and plum, with earthy notes of baked flatbread and barrel spice. A pop of red fruited acidity opens the palate, leading to coating flavors of blueberry and vanilla. The finish lingers with hints of dark fruit. (Consulting Winemaker Celia Welch)- Winemakers JP Pierce, Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson, Hugh Davies

Reviews

94 Points
The Simpkins Vineyard in Coombsville, farmed by Mike Wolf, offers a bold and expressive profile. Black cherry, kirsch, spiced plum, and black truffle dominate the aromatics, with a hint of caramel and maple-kissed cedar. Powerful, grippy, almost sappy tannins structure the palate, complemented by rich toasty oak, toasted cumin seed, and savoury garrigue, all framed by bright natural acidity.- Decanter, January 2025
94 Points
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Simpkins Vineyards, from a site in Coombsville, is the most complete of the vineyard designates in this range. It shows all the ripeness and intensity of the year but allied to the natural savoriness of Coombsville. Bay leaf, coffee, herbs, mocha, sage and pipe tobacco build in the glass, filling out the layers beautifully. This 2022 is impeccable.- Vinous, December 2024
93 Points
Coombsville was one of the Napa Valley's favored sites in 2022, and the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Simpkins Vineyard is nicely perfumed, with an almost floral, tea-like leafiness overlay to its dark cassis fruit. All Cabernet Sauvignon, matured 23 months in 80% new French oak, it's full-bodied yet possessed of fine-grained, silky tannins, with tobacco and dark chocolate shadings on the lingering finish.- Wine Advocate, February 2025

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