J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2012
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Introduction
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The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its 12th 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 Estate 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 18-October 31
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 24 months in French oak (85% new)
- Bottled: September 4, 2014
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon 17% Malbec
- Production (in cases): 2,500 cases
- Production Case Pack: 9L
- Available Formats: 750ml, 1.5L, 3L
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 0.56g/100ml
- p H: 3.78
Images
Reviews
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2012 – 91 points, Highly Recommended – Decanter
“Super-ripe blackcurrant nose — intense and stylish with well-judged oak. The palate follows but is slender by comparison, with very fine-grained tannins, and the promise of more to come. Chocolatey, spicy and long.”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2012 – 94 points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast
“This is the producer’s top-tier still wine, from a range of vineyard blocks above its winery. Named for one of its founders, Jack Davies, it does him proud, combining spicy clove, cinnamon and black fruit around a fulsome, tannic…”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2012 – 93 points – Wine Spectator
“Pure, rich, vivid black¬berry and wild berry flavors form the core, with spicy notes of savol herb and cedary oak. Gains depth and plushness as the tannic strength develops.”
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2012 – 96 points – The Tasting Panel
"Deep plum, blueberry and raspberry; lush and dense with velvety texture and lovely acid structure; bright and juicy with spectacular depth and finesse; stunning now with a great aging potential."