{"title":"July 29 | Cabernet Top Performers","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"greer-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-california-2018","title":"Greer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreer Vineyard is a small, three acre domaine located in the heart of the Rutherford Bench (however defined). It is part of the terroir that first made Napa Valley internationally famous, and inspired André Tchelistcheff to declare \"it takes Rutherford Dust to grow great Cabernet.\" Our illustrious next-vine and nearby neighbors, including Scarecrow (J.J. Cohn), Staglin, and Phelps (Insignia) have burnished the credibility of his proclamation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAaron Pott\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003eOur inaugural wine was the 2007, an auspicious first vintage released in August, 2011. Our fruit is sourced solely from our family vineyard, which produces 100% cabernet sauvignon from 101-14 rootstock grafted with clone 4, the See clone, and the Wiemer clone. Aaron Pott is our winemaker. His broad global experience, skill, and innate talent have created wine rivaling his flamboyant predictions - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"wixui-rich-text__text\"\u003eand exceeding our unspoken hopes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate \u003cu\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreer's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features perfumed, almost rose-like scents layered atop cherries and cassis, with a savory foundation of gently dusty earth. A blend of the tiny vineyard's three Cabernet clones (Clone 4, Wiemer, See), it's medium to full-bodied, supple, velvety and long, A lovely wine from start to finish, it's impeccably balanced, elegant and harmonious.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eI was able to taste two vintages of the Greer Cabernet, both brilliant wines coming from a tiny three-acre vineyard on the Rutherford Bench. The wines have been made by Aaron Pott since 2001. Starting with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, this beauty offers incredible purity and precision in its cassis, candied violets, green tobacco, and lead pencil-like aromatics, and it certainly wouldn't be out of place in a lineup of top First Growths from Bordeaux. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and has a concentrated, rich mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. This is classic 2018 in its purity, freshness, and structure. It needs 4-6 years of bottle age and will have 30 years of longevity. It will most likely merit a triple-digit rating at maturity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - James Suckling \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFloral and berry aromas with fresh plums and sliced oranges. Complex fruit character. Medium to full body with tannins that spread across the palate. You know they are there, but you don’t feel the texture. Lovely, perfumed and perfectly ripe fruit character. Pure cabernet sauvignon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48398166130993,"sku":null,"price":269.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Greer_CabernetSauvignon_NapaValley_California_2018.jpg?v=1759500210"},{"product_id":"venge-beckstoffer-missouri-hopper-cabernet-sauvignon-oakville-california-2021","title":"Venge, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Header-Title\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Venge (ven-ghee) family has farmed vitis vinifera varieties in Napa Valley for nearly half a century. It is a journey that began when Knud Venge emigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1900’s. Knud's son, Per Venge, found his passion in the wine and spirits industry and started Vencom Imports, focusing on the importation of Western European fine wines and spirits. It was Per's son, Nils Venge, who left the family business in the 1960's with a vision to study viticulture at UC Davis and establish the family name as an icon in the winegrowing community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe family's viticultural roots flourished in 1976 with the purchase of a 17-acre vineyard in the Oakville District that was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This fortunate development cast the family among the winemaking pioneers of Napa Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNils' and Dianna Venge's son, Kirk Venge, gravitated to winemaking at an early age. He proved to be as talented a winemaker as his father, making wines in his own style, with a vision to build on the family legacy. In 2008, Kirk achieved his lifelong dream and acquired full ownership of Venge Vineyards. Today, Kirk continues the Napa Valley heritage, focusing on select vineyard sites that produce fruit worthy of bearing the Venge family name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cmore2\" hidden=\"\" aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pulido~Walker Mt. Veeder Estate Vineyard is meticulously planted, drawing on several years of data collection prior to putting a single vine or rootstock in the ground. It has been quite the voyage of discovery shepherding this wine from the initial planting of clones 15, 30, 169, and 685 to the release of this inaugural vintage. We decided to harvest by clone and ferment the four wine lots individually. It was unanimous: the lots from clones 15 and 685 were standouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Pulido and Donna Walker are immensely gratified that right out of the gate, this Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is every inch the thoroughbred, easily rivaling the wine from its sister vineyard on Pritchard Hill and a welcomed companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOakville, Napa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eMissouri Vineyard has become synonymous with world-class wine. This historic heritage vineyard is found in Oakville and is owned by Andy Beckstoffer who has carved his reputation upon his appreciation for meticulous farming and movement toward sustainability. This special vineyard is located on the western alluvial fan just north of the town of Yountville. The soil type is moderately deep alluvial silty clay loam. The vine’s roots struggle to find water causing them to burrow deep into the earth producing grapes with layered, concentrated, and balanced flavors. Oakville has a long-standing reputation for producing cellar-worthy wines of incredible character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThis vineyard is known for showing a softer, prettier side of the typically powerful Oakville palate.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eRipe aromatics of cranberry and raspberry pie. Dried floral notes of lilac, coupled with exotic spices, sandalwood, and cherries. The palate is full of fresh fruit flavors, bramble berries, strawberry, and cherry cola, with subtle nuances of pipe tobacco, cigar box, and black tea with a bright acidity and silky tannins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95-97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKiller black and blue fruits, chalky minerality, black olive, tobacco, and damp earth notes all emerge from the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, a full-bodied, deep, rich, incredibly impressive barrel sample from Kirk Venge. As with the Family Reserve, a few years of bottle age are warranted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94-96 Points - Wine Independent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color. It offers profound notes of Chinese five spice, potpourri, iron ore, dried herbs, and dusty soil with a core of plum pudding and creme de cassis. The full-bodied palate delivers muscular fruit with a firm, chewy texture, finishing long and minerally. This was tasted as a barrel sample.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49854223974705,"sku":null,"price":244.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Venge_BeckstofferMissouriHopperCabernetSauvignon_Oakville_California_2021.jpg?v=1724616700"},{"product_id":"holocene-the-black-square-cabernet-sauvignon-wallawalla-valley-oregon-2023","title":"The Black Square, Cabernet Sauvignon, The Rocks District, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, 2022 (Holocene - Todd Alexander)","description":"\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_3X25Q-8OlU?si=DIMwiNaUJmTOyClz\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e#5 - TOP 100 - Wine Enthusiast \u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago, bringing a warm, stable climate after the last Ice Age. The stability allowed humans to start farming – and eventually, grow grapes and make wine. Our Mission is to craft terroir-driven wines that are delicious, fresh, complete, textural, age-worthy, and true reflections of place and time.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe value the connections that wine has provided us along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are a small, family-owned wine brand with two generations at the helm. We source from dry-farmed vineyards using organic practices, and where sites possess a unique terroir. And while Holocene is focused on the varied soil types of the Willamette Valley, we also make wine in a few regions in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTodd Alexander\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Rocks District, Milton-Freewater, Oregon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Black Square embodies elegance and grace framed by great structure, supple texture, and acidity to ensure longevity. It shows ample fruit with complex savory notes. This is not a heavy wine that is monolithic and dull—there are already plenty of those available. This wine offers a unique expression of Cabernet; it may be the most delicious wine Todd Alexander has ever crafted, venturing into new territory for Rocks District Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Wine Enthusiast - #5 on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAs black as squid ink, The Black Square is balance personified. A concentrated blackberry aroma seems as dark as the wine's name, with equally dark espresso, olive and charred steak notes joining it in the abyss. A dark plum and ripe boysenberry flavor combo is accompanied by traces of salty Mission olives, wet slate and silky smooth tannins. The one bright feature illuminating the way is the wine's amped-up acidity. None so black. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51933928325425,"sku":null,"price":289.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Holocene_The_Black_Square_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Willamette_Valley_Oregon_2023.jpg?v=1760444715"},{"product_id":"pott-wines-incubo-mt-veeder-napa-valley-california-2022","title":"Pott Wines, 'Incubo', Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMt. Veeder has been getting a lot of well-deserved press recently. We loved it at first sight, and moved up here in 2004. It's a dormant volcano and its landscapes can be downright weird: tension of tectonic shift in the plunging canyons; soils of ancient sea-floor shale and sandstone pushed above 1500 feet.\u003cbr\u003eAs you would expect from Pott, we respect and nurture the weirdness. We allow a permanent cover crop between our vine rows which supports the microbial world in the soil, and all the attendant birds and beasties above. We have nesting boxes for owls, bluebirds and bats, and they in turn control insects and other predators. We are 100% organically farmed, and even brew our own \"compost teas\" for when the vines need a refreshing boost of nutrients.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to harvest we pick by hand in to small baskets to avoid premature crushing. We harvest multiple times because different parts of the vineyard ripen at different times. In spite of researching many high tech ways to analyze ripeness we still prefer to pick by flavor, the old-fashioned way. (In other words we eat a lot of grapes!)\u003cbr\u003eThen to the winery where age-old artisanal techniques and indigenous yeasts develop pure, un-adulterated expressions of our site and its beauty\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAaron Pott\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2022 vintage was the most perfect example yet of the majesty of our ridge-top mountain site. Deftly textured tannins give rich, full body, yet the wine maintains its hallmark purity, with layers upon layers of elegant fruit (blackberry to violets to orange blossom) and a long finish of cocoa, tobacco, plum and blackcurrant. There is a very small percentage of Cabernet Franc that lifts the mid palate and brightens the intense aromatics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSo muscular, sinewy, firm and structured, yet elegant, concentrated and pure. This full-bodied wine balances firm, layered tannins and brilliant fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants. Elegant, well balanced and beautiful. It offers the fine-grained tannins of Mt. Veeder that will help it age a long time. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe single-varietal 2022 Incubo Cabernet Sauvignon, tasted as a barrel sample, is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with scents of creme de cassis, black cherries, and mulberries, followed by touches of violets, dark chocolate, and cardomom. The full-bodied palate is rich, juicy, plush, and really plummy, with a peppery lift to the finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eComing entirely off the estate vineyard on Mount Veeder, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Incubo includes just a drop (1%) of Cabernet Franc. It's muscular and tannic, sturdy and rich, with aromas of cedar, cinnamon and dark earth accenting a mix red and black cherries.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51935531204913,"sku":null,"price":187.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Pott_Wines_Incubo_Mt._Veeder_Napa_Valley_California_2022.jpg?v=1760706787"},{"product_id":"sire-houyi-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-california-2021","title":"Sire Estate, Houyi Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e“Sire” is an archaic English word for father or king, and was a respectful form of address for reigning monarchs or someone of high social status during the Middle Ages. The King, or father, was the carrier of the family bloodline, from generation to generation. Wealth, land, and nobility would fall or rise at the succession of the Sire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term is still used today by top animal breeders for show dogs and race horses, describing the father and lineage of a prized thoroughbred or fine stallion. In the quest for the finest race horse, breeders seek out perfection among the bloodlines of past winners, purebreds, and top pedigrees. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo it is with fine wine, the best only come from top pedigree grapes (clones) with proper lineage, the heartiest rootstock, and the richest terroir in Napa Valley. The object of Sire, is to source only the finest pedigree vineyards for winemaking; Cabernet vineyards specifically. We patiently wait for just the right thoroughbred vineyard sites to work with; to produce that best-of-show wine. Each vintage of Sire is a purebred… an uninhibited expression of the vineyard site’s terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all things royal, Sire is both refined yet decadent. Well structured and balanced, with just a touch of hedonism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv itemprop=\"description\" class=\"pipWinery_copy viewMoreModule\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"viewMoreModule_text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJulien Fayard\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e100% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis hillside vineyard has the tendency to consistently deliver magnificent texture and structure. Typical of those red volcanic soils, rich in clay and iron, you will feel the texture and the weight of those rocks through the black aromatics: compote blackberry, cherry and sweet garrigue spices. The core is surrounded by earthy notes and deep unfolding layers. Another classic vintage to lay for a bit, or don’t hesitate to decant for the first decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is another sensational wine from this label. Ripe black and blue fruits, liquid violets, spice oak, graphite, and a beautiful sense of minerality all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with a layered, full-bodied style carrying plenty of tannins. It's a riper, bigger wine compared to the Sleeping Lady Vineyard, but both wines are sensational.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is fabulous. Dark, vibrant and explosive, the 2021 shows all the pedigree of this Pritchard Hill site. There's a marriage of power and finesse here that is simply captivating. Blackberry, chocolate, spice, leather and gravel build as this voluptuous, dense Cabernet Sauvignon starts to open in the glass. This is a superb showing. All this needs is time to soften. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51938172076337,"sku":null,"price":319.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Sire_Estate_Houyi_Vineyard_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Napa_Valley_California_2021_65dd343b-a3cb-4f69-97f9-9fc635cfdabb.jpg?v=1760555426"},{"product_id":"scarecrow-cabernet-sauvignon-rutherford-napa-valley-california-2023","title":"Scarecrow, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Scarecrow_wine_480x480.png?v=1608683363\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"114\" style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout The Producer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Scarecrow story begins in a patch of earth with a fabled past. The J.J. Cohn Estate, where Scarecrow grapes are born, borders what was once the legendary vineyard of Inglenook winemaker Gustave Niebaum, whose plantings blanketed more than 1,000 acres of the Napa Valley at the close of the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Daniel Jr. took the helm at Inglenook in 1939, determined to restore the label to pre-Prohibition standing and produce world-class Bordeaux-style wines. In 1945, Daniel convinced his neighbor, J.J. Cohn, to plant eighty acres of Cabernet vines on the 180-acre parcel Cohn had purchased a few years prior. The property served as a summer retreat for Cohn’s wife and their family. He had no ambitions to become a winemaker himself, but Daniel promised to buy his grapes, so Cohn planted vines. The rest, as they say, is history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJ.J. Cohn fruit figured prominently in Inglenook’s superlative Cabernet Sauvignons of the post-war era, and has more recently gone into wines of such renown as Opus One, Niebaum-Coppola, Duckhorn, Insignia and Etude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJ.J. Cohn Estate grapes are highly sought-after in part because Cohn bucked the trend, begun in the mid- 1960s, of replacing vines planted on St. George rootstock with the supposedly superior AxR#I hybrid. Over time, vines grafted onto this new stock proved highly vulnerable to phylloxera. But by then, virtually all of the old St. George vines in Napa had been destroyed. Only the original 1945 J.J. Cohn vines survived. These highly prized “Old Men” continue to produce uncommonly rich fruit—the hallmark of Scarecrow wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the Scarecrow story doesn’t end there. This is more than a tale of enchanted ground and the exceptional wine that flows out of it. The Scarecrow story is a story, too, of an extraordinary family legacy. Joseph Judson Cohn was born in Harlem in 1895 to Russian immigrants. Cohn spent his childhood in dire poverty and never learned to prefer the taste of fresh bread over stale—even after he’d found great success in Hollywood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA move west in the 1920s launched Cohn’s studio career. Highly resourceful and extremely capable, Cohn began as a bookkeeper, distinguished himself early and rose quickly through the ranks to become Chief of Production at MGM. His unofficial credo, “Nothing is impossible,” became the motto of his MGM staff. They knew him as a man who simply refused to take “No” for an answer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring Hollywood’s golden age, Cohn was instrumental in the making of such film classics as Ben Hur, Gigi, Mutiny on the Bounty and, most beloved of all, The Wizard of Oz. Today, the Scarecrow label pays tribute to the endearing and indomitable character from that film. Scarecrow evokes a distinctly American agricultural icon and American optimism. And most importantly, Scarecrow honors the remarkable life of J.J. Cohn. Cohn lived to be 100 years old, spanning a defining century that he helped to shape. The people who labor with passion and conviction to bring you Scarecrow wine are proud to be part of his living legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCelia Welch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRutherford, Napa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIn the glass, intense aromas of blackberries on the vine, crème de cassis, Luxardo cherries,\u003cbr\u003eand violets all add to the aromas of this lovely, fully ripe vintage, while notes of black tea,\u003cbr\u003ea touch of cocoa, warm toasted wheat, and a hint of vanilla add to the dimensions in the aromas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the palate, the wine is immediately generous, silky, full, fruit-forward, bright, and elegant.\u003cbr\u003eThe tannins are soft and refined, and the bright, fresh fruit lingers, leaving impressions of dark purple-black fruits.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis wine was crafted entirely from wine grapes grown on the J. J. Cohn Estate in Rutherford,\u003cbr\u003eNapa Valley. After a long, moderate summer growing season with cooler-than-normal overall\u003cbr\u003etemperatures, the fruit ripened to perfection with bright flavors and a crisp natural acidity.\u003cbr\u003eThe fruit was harvested by hand between October 5 and 17th, with each section of the vineyard fermented individually, then gently pressed and transferred into French oak barrels (70% new) for approximately 21 months. The wine was blended and bottled on July 7 and 8, 2025, without fining or filtration. The final blend for the 2023 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon\u003cbr\u003eis 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot. A total of 1,800 cases were produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Scarecrow is one for the ages, built around a core of dry-farmed vines planted in 1945. Slightly herbal nuances weave in and out of perfectly ripened black cherries, underscored by hints of crushed stone. And while the wine is full-bodied, creamy and seductive, it offers incredible opulence without any sense of heaviness, supported effortlessly by fine-grained tannins. Hints of licorice, mocha and black olives on the finish only add to the web of complex flavors and textures, punctuated by tremendous length.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100 Points - The Wine Palate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOpaque garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Scarecrow needs a little swirling before it erupts from the glass with powerful notes of cassis, juicy black plums, and black raspberries, plus suggestions of clove oil, underbrush, red licorice, and violets, plus a touch of forest floor. The full-bodied palate is rich and opulent with spice-laced black fruit preserves and a firm, velvety texture, finishing with great length and just enough freshness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is a total stunner. Deep and vertical in build, this is going to need many years to be at its most expressive. Iron, chalk, mint, blood orange, espresso, licorice and pomegranate are all seamless in the glass. Potent tannins kick off the mid-palate and finish. Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni, Issue date: November 2025. Drinking window: 2028-2038. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51975398785329,"sku":null,"price":899.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Scarecrow_CabernetSauvignon_Rutherford_NapaValley_California_2023_e4ef3c70-0ff6-4d8f-90a7-610ae87e1bf4.jpg?v=1781537940"}],"url":"https:\/\/merchantofwine.com\/collections\/july-29-cabernet-top-performers.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}