The grapes are harvested from their own vineyards, including the "Old Man" at JJ Cohn Estate in Rutherford. The grapes are optically sorted and left in skin contact for 21 days before fermentation and aging for 10 months in approximately 80% new French oak barrels. The wine is then blended and returned to the barrels for another 12 months (total 22 months). The aromas of ripe berries, dark chocolate, vanilla, and humus rise from the glass, and the way they change over time is an amazing and moving experience.
Made from grapes hand-picked from Rutherford's own vineyards, including Old Man.
Vintage Information - Vineyard Manager, Michael Wolff
2019 was a rainy year, with Rutherford seeing precipitation double from 600 mm in 2018 to 1,140 mm.
A very cold and wet winter resulted in bud break occurring two weeks later than the previous year.
Heavy rains fell in mid-May, energising the vines' development.
Although rain fell during flowering, crop yields were average and temperatures have been mild since then.
A heat wave in August temporarily stunted vine growth, but veraison subsequently began early and veraison was uniform.
Several cool nights in September helped the fruit retain its freshness and acidity.
Harvest began on 25th September with the rare old vine Old Man, followed by a special block of recently planted vines using the same rootstock and clone combination.
(At JJCohn Estate, there are plots that inherit a combination of St. George rootstock, which is resistant to phylloxera, and the original Cohn clone, which has been Massal-selected.)
The harvest was done carefully until October, checking the optimum maturity of each small lot, and was completed on October 21st. (All the harvest was done at night to maintain the freshness of the fruit.)
Yields were above average.
Technical Information - Winemaker Celia Welch
Brewing information: After harvest, the bunches are selected and destemmed, the grapes are separated using an optical sorter, and the grapes are fermented with skin contact for 21 days. The wine is then aged for 10 months in approximately 80% new French barrels, before being blended and returned to the barrels for a further 12 months of aging.
It was bottled in July 2021 without clarification or filtering.
Tasting Notes - Winemaker Celia Welch
Purple-black notes of cassis, blackberry and boysenberry with aromas of toasty vanilla and spice.
The first impression is fresh and somewhat subdued in flavor.
The mid-palate is dominated by rich black fruit flavours intermingled with a hint of spice.
It has enough structure to allow for long-term aging, and the rich tannins have a warm, cashmere-like texture.
Parker Point 100 Wine Advocate Issue 257 End of October 2021 by Lisa Perotti-Brown
Deep garnet purple colour.
The wine has an impressive aroma of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, chocolate-covered cherries, dried herbs, tilled earth, crushed rocks and Indian spices.
A medium to full-bodied wine with layered mineral black fruit flavors, framed by plump tannins and freshness, and a long finish.
This creation from the historic JJ Cohn Vineyard, which includes vines planted by John Daniel in 1945, is a magical creation.
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVAs, Others: Rutherford
Vineyard: JJCohn Estate
Note: Current stock Sold out Parker Point 100P Wine Advocate Issue 257 End of October 2021 by Lisa Perotti-Brown
Winemaker: Celia Welch
Aging: 22 months in French barrels (approximately 80% new barrels)
Rating: 100P
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 0.0%