2016 J. Davies "jd" Cab. Sauv. - Library (1 x 750 ml)
The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its tenth vintage of J. Davies jd Diamond Mountain District Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Like its companion J. Davies Estate bottlings, this red wine is crafted solely from the densely flavored, richly structured fruit grown on the familys hillside property. Following the blending of J. Davies, winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies carefully select from the remaining outstanding barrels of wine to craft this offering. Vibrant and approachable as a young wine, the medium-bodied jd is released after two years of aging. Bearing the initials of Jack Davies, who along with his wife, Jamie, revived the historic Schramsberg winery property in 1965, it is the product of an intimate knowledge of this place, and a passion to create delicious Cabernet Sauvignon.
The vineyard blocks, totaling 41 acres, are laid out in three isolated pockets ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in elevation. They include the two Schram sections, Napa Valleys first hillside vineyards, originally established in 1862 by Jacob Schram, and the McEachran parcel, which was first planted by Colin McEachran in 1878. 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 2016 vintage was a near-perfect growing season with ideal weather condition throughout. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August, and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness for the light yields that were present.
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Tasting notes
Aromas of blueberry, red plum and black cherry are accentuated by clove, vanilla and dark chocolate. The palates bright entry of ripe red berry and cranberry is infused with a hint of white pepper and blackberry, sustained with a finish of firm balanced tannins.- Winemakers Sean Thompson, Celia Welch & Hugh Davies
Reviews
93 Points - Editor's ChoiceThis elegant, classically styled wine is earthy in tobacco, mushroom and fig, a lovely wine from the mountain appellation. A soft understated richness of plum and black cherry wrap around a texture of grippy dust and dark chocolate, finishing as gracefully as it starts.- Wine Enthusiast (October 2019)
91 Points
The Davies Family farms several parcels in the southern end of the Diamond Mountain appellation, including two blocks originally planted by Jacob Schram in 1862. This is the second selection from those vineyards, a wine that retains its cherry freshness in the context of the chocolate richness of oak. It has a classical minty and cedary cigar-box scent, the texture soft and generous, easy to enjoy with prime rib.- Wine & Spirits (August 2019)
91 Points
On the one hand a very outgoing, fairly accessible, slightly supple offering that is long on up-front fruit, but, on the other, a nicely polished one that is quite wellstructured and sure to age, the Davies jd bottling offers lots to like now with the promise of a bit more in the future. It may not carry an individual vineyard name, and it may be the least expensive member of the extended Davies family, but, make no mistake, this is a serious, carefully crafted Cabernet that is fully deserving of attention.- Connoissers' Guide to California Wine (August 2019)
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