94 Points, Platinum - Monterey Wine Competition - March 2021
91 Points - Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Nov 2020
90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck - Jan 2021
The finish is long and expressive, with spiced fruit flavors lingering endlessly. Will drink well for 10-15 years.
WINEMAKER NOTES
A "goldilocks" vintage. The excellent weather lasted from fruit set through harvest and allowed for maximum hanging time for the grapes. It was a bountiful harvest, but what is quantity without quality? Thankfully this vintage delivered in that department as well.
VINEYARDS
The S&J Vineyard is made up of 206 acres of land located east of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa’s Capell Valley. Purchased in 2000, it is named for Darryl Frank’s children, Stella and Jeremy, and is planted to 58 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 9 acres of Petite Sirah and 9 acres of Zinfandel. The soils are fertile, well-drained and clay loam-based, reminiscent of the Rutherford Bench.
The Benjamin Vineyard is located east of Conn Creek Road in the heart of the Rutherford AVA. Purchased by Rich Frank in 2012, the 87-acre parcel was formerly known as Wood Ranch was renamed for Paul Frank’s son, and is planted with 50 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 acres of Petit Verdot, and 2 acres each of Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The vineyard is composed of gravelly loam soil as a result of sediment from the Conn Creek and Napa River which flowed through the region thousands of years ago.
Additional vineyard sources: Round Pond Estate in Rutherford; Delouise, Gaskins, and Shooting Star Vineyards located in Napa Valley.
Winemaker: Todd Graff
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: October 17 - November 6, 2018
Aging: 20 months in 33% new and 67% once and twice-filled French oak barrels.
Bottled: July 2020
pH: 3.64
TA: 0.60 g/100ml
Alcohol: 14.5%
95 Points
Wild blueberry, raspberry and earth tones that move into notes of boysenberry, crushed black cherry, pomegranate seeds, fresh wood, and a hint of cola. The palate offers more flavors of juicy blue and black fruit merge with cedary herbs, ground clove, and savory umami tones.
94 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with mulled raspberry coursing through and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
92 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass. The palate starts with boysenberry and black cherry tones, alongside notes of herb and black licorice. Maraschino cherry and plum notes pump through with a smooth medium-bodied texture. Crunchy sweet tannins and balanced acidity round it out.
PDF