Lot 192 | 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml (93-Points)

Lot 192 | 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml (93-Points)

 

93-POINTS, GOLD MEDAL
2021 SOMMELIERS CHALLENGE WINE COMPETITION

92-POINTS JAMES SUCKLING
An attractive nose of blackcurrant, sliced plum, gravel and grated nutmeg. Medium-to full-bodied with powdery tannins. There is a solid undertone of black fruit accented by some mineral and toasted herbal complexity. Chocolate too. Nicely persistent. Drink now
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Lot 192 comes to us from a relatively new, Napa Valley-based, boutique producer (and sommelier) sourcing fruit from a gently-sloping hillside vineyard just across the street from the well-regarded Knights Bridge Winery in Knights Valley (Knights Valley is just north of the Napa County line in Sonoma County but its volcanic soil structures are very similar to Napa Valley).

The vineyard was recently converted over to organic production by the legendary Barbour Vineyard Management. In his 30+ years as a vineyard manager and viticulturalist, Jim Barbour has planted and managed some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards, including Hundred Acre, Grace Family, Blankiet, Hourglass, Tom Seaver’s GTS, Pride, D.R. Stephens, Revana, Fleming, Au Sommet, Amuse Bouche, Keever, Von Strasser, etc.

From the finest French oak to the best vineyard management team, no expense was spared in the production of this wine. Since the producer has yet to launch their inaugural 2018 bottling I can't give you a price comparison but I figure this wine would, at a minimum, sell for about $65-$75 and largely because its Knights Valley, not Napa Valley. This is an incredible offering at $24/bottle.

Dark, inky and opaque in the glass but lively, expressive and vibrant with aromas and flavors of lavender, black cherry and cassis, cigar box, chocolate truffle, pimento, and seasoned aromatic spruce and cedar hardwoods. Love these barrels. Supple on entry and rich on the palate with with lively, red-rock acidity that frames an elegantly-extracted spectrum of blackberry and cassis fruit with a fine coating of mineral and french oak tannins. Aromatic spruce, cocoa and violets linger on the finish.

The sommelier influence clearly shows in this wine...its beautifully extracted yet very harmonious with some killer minerality thanks to the vineyards volcanic soils. Big-yet-elegant, and it will age beautifully as well.

UPDATED TASTING NOTES 1.28.2022 - DRINK OR HOLD - prime for re-release, barrel has come forward to eclipse the fruit a bit on the nose, but the palate has fleshed out to a juicy, savory and seductive balance of French oak, violets, and black currant. Great on the palate and the bouquet should come around shortly.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Knights Valley, Sonoma County
50% new French oak
14.7% alc.
500 cases available
Bottling May 18th, 2021


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