Davies Vineyards
J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
The Davies family, owners of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents the sixteenth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from its historic Diamond Mountain estate, acquired in 1965. First released with the 2001 vintage, J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon reflects two generations of the family’s dedication to the site and is named in honor of patriarch Jack L. Davies, who, with his wife Jamie, revived Schramsberg and helped establish one of America’s leading sparkling wine houses.
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 Valley’s 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 1985. 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.
- Region
- California: Napa Valley
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Sub-Appellation
- Diamond Mountain District
- Varietal Composition
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aging
- 22 months in 62% new French oak.
- Alcohol
- 14.7%
This Cabernet opens with rich aromas of red raspberry and red plum, accentuated by undertones of cocoa powder and cola spice. Supple tannins anchor the wine’s well-structured palate, where a concentrated entry of baked strawberry and blackberry leads to a juicy acidity and lengthy finish.
Wine Advocate
96 Points
2023
The 2023 J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the family's estate vineyard parcels on Diamond Mountain. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, it spent 22 months in two-thirds new French oak. Picked as late as November 9, this superb wine features hints of dark chocolate and mocha set against a backdrop of cassis and blueberry, with grace notes of bay leaf and anise. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, this balanced, concentrated effort finishes long and intense.
— Joe Czerwinski, 2026
Vinous
96 Points
2023
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Davies Estate is a brooding Diamond Mountain wine. Black fruit, leather, incense, tobacco, graphite, dried herbs and bittersweet chocolate stain the palate. This deep, potent Cabernet is decidedly somber in bearing. Give it a few years to come together. Floral, spice and mineral top notes begin to appear with a bit of time in the glass."
— Antonio Galloni, 2025
