J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley — 2019
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Introduction
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The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents its nineteenth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from the historic Diamond Mountain vineyards they purchased in 1965. The estate vineyards were replanted to Bordeaux varietals beginning in 1994, and the J Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet was first released in 2004 (2001 vintage).
J. Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of two generations of the Davies family, the product of an intimate knowledge of a place and of a passion to create delicious red wine. 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 over 55 years ago.
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Vineyard Profile
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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 established 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.
- Appellation: Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley, Estate Grown
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Vintage Report
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The 2019 growing season started off with lots of winter rain and cold temperatures. Mild conditions continued throughout the summer with an occasional heat wave allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The 2019 vintage was a high-quality and relatively large yielding vintage, with balanced acidity and superb flavors.
- Harvest Date(s): September 27 - November 6, 2019
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 23 months in 57% new French oak
- Coopers: Taransaud, Damy, Orion
- Bottled: September 7, 2021
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
- Production (in cases): 1,225 (9-Liter)
- Alcohol: 15.2%
- TA: 5.3 g/L
- p H: 3.85
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Tasting Notes
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“The 2019 J. Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet opens with voluptuous black fruit such as blueberry, black cherry, boysenberry and plum, accentuated by undertones of chocolate, cinnamon, blackberry compote, espresso, dark cocoa, prune, clove, mint and herbal notes. Supple tannins anchor the wine’s well-structured palate, where flavors of spiced red fruit and warm spices lead to a rich mouth-filling weight and a lengthy finish.” — Winemakers Hugh Davies, Sean Thompson and Csillla Kato
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Images
Reviews
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley — 2019 – James Suckling – 93 Points
"A solid, deep red with notes of ripe blackberries and blueberries, as well as touches of fresh violets and iodine. Some hazelnuts and chocolate, too. Full body, fine-grained tannins and a deep, savory-fruit profile. Long finish."
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley — 2019 – Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
"This generously oaky wine offers a plush, broad mouthfeel that cradles extra-ripe black cherry, dark chocolate and blackberry flavors and coats the palate. The wine is rich, almost thick, with cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa accents and hints of sweetness on the finish."
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley — 2019 – Vinous – 94 Points
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Davies Estate, from the property on Diamond Mountain, is one of the most distinctive wines in this ever growing range. Power and deep, the 2019 is a beautifully layered Cabernet that opens nicely in the glass, showing a compelling mix of dark fruit and more mineral/savory undertones. The Davies Estate is a Cabernet of real stature done in a style that is all about virile intensity."
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley — 2019 – Jeb Dunnuck – 94 Points
"More chalky minerality, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and assorted red and black fruits emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies, a full-bodied, rich, textured, ripe mountain Cabernet that has sweet tannin, plenty of fat and opulence, and outstanding length. It has the classic Diamond Mountain richness paired with savoriness, and I'd certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle."