J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2005
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Introduction
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The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its fifth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon produced from the historic Diamond Mountain vineyards. Purchased in 1965, the vineyards were replanted to Bordeaux varietals beginning in 1994. This wine is named in honor of patriarch Jack L. Davies, who along with his wife Jamie, revived the Schramsberg property and established it as the preeminent American sparkling wine producer over four decades ago. J. Davies is the creation of today’s Schramsberg winemakers, Hugh Davies and Sean Thompson. J. Davies is the product of an intimate knowledge of a place, and a passion to create a delicious red wine.
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Vineyard Profile
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The vineyard blocks, totaling 42 acres, are laid out in three isolated pockets ranging from approximately 500 to 1000 feet in elevation. They include the two Schram sections, Napa Valley’s first hillside vineyards, originally established in 1862 by Jacob Schram. The third piece is on the neighboring McEachran parcel, which was first planted by Colin Mceachran in 1878 and was purchased by Schramsberg in 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 dense coniferous and deciduous forests, the vines here produce late-ripening, richly concentrated fruit with average yields of just two tons per acre.
- Appellation: Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley; Estate grown, produced and bottled
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): October 7–November 16
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 22 months in French oak: 78% new, 22% used
- Coopers: Taransaud, Boutes, Vicard
- Bottled: September 17, 2007
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 8% Petite Verdot
- Production (in cases): 3,652 cases
- Production Case Pack: 6/750ml
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- TA: 0.60g/100ml
- p H: 3.80
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Tasting Notes
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Black cherry and bramble-berry combine with sweet tobacco, mulled spice, and cassia bark on the aromas. Rich volume, full extraction and substantial tannin are evident on the palate.
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Images
Reviews
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2005 – 4 stars, Highly Recommended – Decanter
“Dense, brambly blackberry nose. Rich, fleshy, opulent, highly concentrated, pungent and powerful. Spicy and vigorous.”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2005 – 88 points – Wine Enthusiast
“Made in a drier, more tannic style compared to some top Napa Cabs, this Bordeaux blend is elegant rather than opulent. It has red currant, licorice and new oak flavors framed by hard, astringent tannins.”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2005 – 92 points, Year’s Best Cabernet – Wine & Spirits
"layers of rich tannin, ranging from the graphite feel of pencil lead to something more pungently mineral ...The fruit is floral and super-ripe, lasting in balance with the complex tannins."
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2005 – 91 points – Wine Spectator
“Ripe and fleshy, with a zesty core of red and black cherry, currant and cranberry notes that are pure and focused, showing a dusty, minerally edge and ending with nicely structured tannins.”