Davies Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 95] [JS 92] [JD 90] [VM 90]

About the Winery:
After Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic  Schramsberg property in Napa Valley, their son, Hugh Davies, initiated a red wine program using the family’s estate vineyards on Diamond Mountain. Starting in the 1990s, Hugh undertook the replanting of the home  property to red Bordeaux varietals leading to the  J. Davies Cabernet program; he later partnered with  North Coast growers to launch Davies Vineyards  Pinot Noirs.

About this Wine:
The Davies family, proprietors of Schramsberg Vineyards and the J. Davies Estate, proudly presents the eleventh vintage of the Davies Vineyards “Napa Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon. Building on experience from their Diamond Mountain estate, this wine showcases top vineyard sites across Napa Valley. Carefully farmed for low yields and high quality, the wine offers vivid fruit, rich texture, and firm tannins—delicious now and structured for aging.

About the Vineyards:
This wine is sourced from top vineyards across both the Mayacamas Mountains and Vaca Range—drawing from subappellations such as Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Atlas Peak—as well as valley floor sites in Napa Carneros, Coombsville, Oakville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. These regions offer ideal growing conditions, with warm days, cool nights, and minimal rainfall during the peak season, allowing for optimal fruit development. 

About the Vintage:
The 2022 vintage began with over 20 inches of rain from October to December, followed by mostly dry conditions from January to March. After a frosty spring and some hail events, we welcomed a warmer summer. A record-breaking September heat wave kicked harvest into full swing. This distinctive weather pattern contributed to the diverse flavor profile for which Napa Valley cabernets are celebrated, ranging from vibrant and elegant to dense and powerful.

Winemaking:
Cabernet Sauvignon harvest began at the end of mid September and carried into mid-October, delivering fruit with bright and balanced concentration. Fruit was carefully selected, pressed and aged 21 months, 62% in new French oak.
82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 6% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes:
Our 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers enticing aromas of dark cherry, blueberry, plum, and blackberry, complemented by notes of açaí, thyme, and tobacco leaf, intertwined with subtle hints of cocoa nib, cardamom, caramel, and coffee bean. The palate opens with dark red berries and dense fruit, transitioning into a plush mid-palate of cherry, chocolate, Indian spices, and black pepper. The wine’s layered flavors are beautifully supported by integrated tannins and structure, leading to a plush finish.

Ratings and Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"This is a blend of fruit from all the vineyards the Davies family sources from, from Calistoga down to Coombsville. The nose is deeply fruited, with kirsch and espresso bean, complemented by a lovely redwood bark character. Full-bodied on the palate, with plump, sweet-spiced tannins layered with dark cacao, a hint of cumin, sandalwood, and dried Bing cherry, all carrying through to a long and satisfying finish." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Jun 2025)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Bright red-fruit flavors mingle with ripe blackberries and black cherries in this deep and harmonious wine. Moderate tannins give a little grip to the delicious fruit and subtle oak spices." (Apr 2025)

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A beautiful 2022 that's soft, supple, and forward, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of plums, incense, baking spices, and chocolate. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot and aged 21 months in 62% new French oak, it's ready to go and best drunk over the coming 7-8 years or more."  (Dec 2025)

90 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Soft, succulent contours wrap it all together. This is a fine showing for the vintage. (Drink between 2025-2028)." - Antonio Galloni (Mar 2025)