J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Jamie, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2014
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Introduction
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The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards in Napa Valley, presents the third vintage of J. Davies Jamie, the finest Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from its historic Diamond Mountain vineyard property. Bearing her signature, this wine is named in honor of Schramsberg’s matriarch, the late Jamie Davies. Along with her husband Jack, she revived the Schramsberg property in 1965 with an inspired vision of crafting world-class American sparkling wines. Over five decades later, son Hugh, wife Monique and an second generation of the Davies have taken on the challenge of producing extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon from vines grown on the family’s hillside property. They are proud to release the J. Davies Jamie Cabernet Sauvignon, representing the pinnacle of an endeavor that spans 153 years.
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Vineyard Profile
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The vineyard blocks, totaling 41 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 that was first planted by Colin McEachran in 1878. These are the southernmost vineyards in the Diamond Mountain District AVA. Supported by diverse volcanic soils, 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
- Harvest Date(s): September 18 - October 17, 2014
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 30 months in French oak, 92% new
- Bottled: February 6, 2017
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot
- Production (in cases): 325 (9-Liter)
- Alcohol: 14.8%
- TA: 0.71 g/100 mL
- p H: 3.79
- Release Date: September 1, 2018
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Tasting Notes
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“This wine holds perfumed aromas of dark red cherry, dried strawberry, raspberry and rose petal combined with violet, black tea and coffee. Dense concentrated fruit flavors of black currant, black cherry and mint mingle effortlessly with dark chocolate and are seamlessly brought together with a well-structured, rich mid-palate.” – Winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies and Consulting Winemaker Celia Welch
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Images
Reviews
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Jamie, Diamond Mountain District – 2014 – Jeb Dunnuck – 96 Points
One of the gems is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Jamie, which is named after the founder of the estate and is a barrel selection. This medium to full-bodied, incredibly layered and seamless Cabernet offers a beautiful perfume of red and black fruits, dried earth, bay leaf, and spice cake aromas. It’s perfectly balanced, has no hard edges, and will keep for 2+ decades.
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Jamie, Diamond Mountain District – 2014 – Wine Enthusiast – 98 Points
Named for the late matriarch of the property, this is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, all of it grown on hillside estate vineyards. It dances around cherry, cassis and rose petal, the core of the wine soft in integrated tannins and oak. Balanced in weight, it is undeniably lovely, complex and beautiful. It will do well in the cellar...
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J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon, Jamie, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley – 2014 – 96 points – The Wine Advocate
“The most expensive wine of the group is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies Estate Jamie. I suspect this is the proprietor’s selection of the best barrels, and it is a special wine. Juicy, with loads of sucrosity, a dense purple color, and plenty of cassis, blueberry and black berry fruit, the wine is full-bodied, but at the same time, incredibly elegant and pure. Drink it over the next 20-25 years, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it last longer given its almost impeccable balance.”