J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2008
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Introduction
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The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its eighth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is produced from the historic Diamond Mountain vineyards purchased in 1965 and replanted to Bordeaux varietals beginning in 1994. 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 more than four decades ago. A creation of the next generation of the Davies family, the J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon 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 43 acres, are laid out in three isolated pockets ranging from approximately 500 to 1,000 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 the adjacent 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
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): September 9-October 28
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 22 months in French oak (85% new)
- Coopers: Taransaud, Boutes, Vicard
- Bottled: August 31, 2010
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot
- Production (in cases): 4,138 cases (6/750ml)
- Alcohol: 14.6%
- TA: 0.51g/100ml
- p H: 3.85
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Tasting Notes
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Dark perfumed aromas of blueberry and brambleberry are accentuated by mocha, vanilla cream and tobacco. The palate is bold, complex and fruitful. Wild berry compote and black cherry flavors mingle with notes of black tea and dark chocolate. All aspects are seamlessly brought together with fine grain tannins that sustain a long and luxurious finish. Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies, Winemakers
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Images
Reviews
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2008 – 4 stars – Decanter
"Lifted floral, black cherry, Victoria plum, leaf and red berry bouquet. Intense floral/cherry fruit flavours on the palate and sweet tannins. It is bursting with fruit but finesse also. Has complexity and vigour with a full character."
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2008 – 90 points – Wine Enthusiast
“Enormously rich in blackberries, cherries, chocolate and roasted almonds, with lots of smoky, sweet caramelized new oak…The tannins are firm, as befits a Diamond Mountain wine, but refined and velvety...”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2008 – 92 points – Wine Spectator
“Dark, intense and structured, at points supple and graceful, displaying ripe currant, wild berry, plum and savory herb notes that are well-focused, persistent and compelling, only drying on the long finish.”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2008 – 93 points – The Wine Advocate
“The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beauty of elegance and power, revealing a dense ruby/purple color as well as lovely black currant fruit intermixed with black cherries, loamy soil and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and elegant as well as authoritatively flavored and rich, this blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot has tamed the mountain rusticity and offers rich fruit and floral flavors that have more in common with the Stags Leap appellation.”