Davies J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The 2017 J. Davies Estate Cabernet opens with rich aromas of black plum, red cherry and marionberry, accentuated by undertones of vanilla, cola spice, fresh bay leaf and mint. Firm but integrated tannins anchor the wine’s palate, where a broad entry of blueberry and milk chocolate is followed by flavors of fresh coffee and blackberry.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This packs in serious juicy plum, blackberry and black currant paste flavors, laced with lively sassafras and sage notes. A singed wood spice accent adds texture and range to the finish. A touch of cellaring will allow this to unwind fully. Best from 2021 through 2031.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Blended with 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color with scents of plum pudding, spice cake and fresh figs with baked black currants, blackberry pie and tilled soil plus a hint of dried sage. The palate is full-bodied, firm and grainy with well played freshness and a mineral edge to the finish.
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James Suckling
Sweet berry, cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with round tannins and a juicy finish. Nice purity throughout. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies comes all from estate fruit (93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot), all of which spent 23 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a medium to full-bodied, firm, slightly chewy effort that has outstanding notes of plums, violets, dark chocolate, and a touch of earthy tobacco. Nicely balanced, drink bottles over the coming decade or more.
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Wine Enthusiast
A hearty, iron-rich and red-fruited estate wine from the high-elevation mountain, delivers this wine with bold, beautiful layers of complex flavor and texture. Dusty, crushed rock components add to its earthy core.
Other Vintages
2019- Decanter
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Wine &
Spirits
In 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies began reviving the historic Schramsberg winery property in Napa Valley. They challenged conventional ideas and relied on innovation to craft the first world-class, American, méthode traditionelle sparkling wines produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In the 1990s, a second generation of the Davies family undertook replanting the estate on Diamond Mountain to red Bordeaux varieties, and J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was launched with the 2001 vintage. In 2014, the family released the compelling and balanced 2012 Davies Vineyards single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, a logical evolution based on over 40 years’ experience with cool-climate Pinot Noir sites and grapes in the North Coast.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Diamond Mountain is the northernmost mountain appellation in the Mayacamas Range, on the northwest side of the valley floor, above the town of Calistoga. Defined mainly by elevation, vineyards are planted at 400 to 2,200 feet.
Diamond Mountain vineyards receive plenty of sunshine at these elevations and are typically above the coastal fog line. But given its western proximity, the area still easily cools down from early morning and late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes. The AVA (American Viticultural Area) covers 5,000 acres but just over 500 acres are under vine.
Diamond Mountain soils, mainly weathered, red sedimentary rock and decomposed, volcanic ash, are infertile, quick-draining and produce small, thick-skinned grapes, bursting with chewy tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel have great success here.
Like other sub-appellations in Napa Valley, the Diamond Mountain area had no shortage of pioneer winemakers. Rudy von Strasser led the effort for Diamond Mountain to acquire AVA status in 1999.