2019 J. Davies "jd" Cab. Sauv. (1x750 ml)

The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its fourteenth vintage of J. Davies Estate jd 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, the winemaking team carefully select from the remaining barrels of wine to craft this offering. Vibrant and approachable as a young wine, the medium-bodied jd is released after two and a half 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 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 2019 growing season was an interesting one, starting later than previous years, due to cold temperatures and lots of winter rain. Mild heat throughout the summer with the occasional heat wave allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. 2019 produced a relatively large yielding and high-quality vintage, with balanced acidity and superb flavors.

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Tasting notes

The 2019 J. Davies Estate "jd" Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and nutmeg, accentuated by hints of freshly brewed coffee, tobacco, and blueberry. The palate's silky entry supports flavors of bright raspberry, chocolate covered cherry, anise and vanilla, infused with hints of toasted bread and coffee bean.- Winemakers Sean Thompson and Jessica Koga

Reviews

94 Points
Spice plums, mulberry blackberry, thyme and chocolate on the nose. Sweet ripe fruit rides a wave of satiny tannins that mingle in the mouth with saline minerality, chocolate and oak spices. A straightforward but tremendously satisfying Cabernet.- Decanter, June 2022
93 Points
Deep ruby-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon JD is scented of cassis, blueberries, cedar, vanilla and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate is soft and juicy with a balance of concentrated fruit and youthful new oak spice and a long, floral finish.- Wine Advocate, July 2022
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