2022 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (1 x 750 ml)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its twenty-second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from the historic Diamond Mountain property 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).This offering is the creation of two generations of the Davies family, the product of an intimate knowledge of this property, reflecting their passion to craft 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 60 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 planted 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 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 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has an aromatic nose, with layers of blueberry and blackberry, mixed with black tea, anise, and dark mint chocolate. The palate is juicy, with a cherry mocha entry and notes of raspberry. It has a structured, sturdy finish with a flash of red berry acidity. (Consulting Winemaker Celia Welch)- Winemakers JP Pierce, Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson, Hugh Davies

Reviews

97 Points
This is one of the most structured and elegant wines in the J. Davies lineup, which I tasted with winemaker Celia Welch. It carries power and density of fruit weight, with a wealth of seductive red- and black-toned fruit wrapped in tobacco leaves dusted with dark cacao powder. A salty minerality fuels the full-bodied finish, while the wine builds in intensity, lingering long on the palate.- Decanter, January 2025
95+ Points
From the family's estate on Diamond Mountain, the 2022 J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Matured 23 months in 53% new French oak, it offers up scents of crushed stone, pencil shavings, cassis and cherries, plus some attractive herbal nuancesalmost violet-like floral notes. In the mouth, it's concentrated and harmonious, with a long, silky finish. While approachable young, it should be capable of aging up to two decades. Like most of the Davies wines, it's reasonably priced for the quality.- Wine Advocate, February 2025
94 Points
Marked by luscious blueberry and dark-chocolate flavors, this full-bodied, velvety wine seems to melt in the mouth, giving up more cocoa and dried-fruit flavors with each sip. It is deep, ripe and enticing with super-fine-grained tannins.- James Suckling, March 2025

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