Freemark Abbey "Sycamore" Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
(Napa Valley, California) - [WA 95+] [WE 93]

About the Winery:
The history of Freemark Abbey began in 1886, when Josephine Marlin Tychson became the first woman to build and operate a winery in California. The historic site where Josephine's winery, Tychson Cellars, once stood is now known as Freemark Abbey.

In the years that followed, Freemark Abbey went through a period of several different owners until 1966, when a group of partners purchased the winery. In only their second vintage, their Cabernet was selected to compete in The Judgement at Paris!

For four decades, until 2020, Ted Edwards was the winemaker, and while he is still on staff as winemaker emeritus and participates in various blending trials, day-to-day winemaking is now helmed by Kristy Melton, the winery's second woman winemaker. Since 2006, Freemark Abbey has been part of the Jackson Family Wines (JFW) portfolio.

About this Wine: 
Located on the southern end of the Rutherford Bench, the small 24-acre (located about 1.2 miles south of Bosché) Sycamore Vineyard’s proximity to the Mayacamas Mountains provides the perfect climate for growing a rich, textured Cabernet. The wine is intense in aromatic complexity, reminiscent of blackberry, pomegranate syrup, black tea, and forest floor. The palate is rich and textured with flavors of forest fruits, dark chocolate, bay leaf, and warm oak spices. The ‘Rutherford dust’ is evident in the tannin structure, giving it textures that are bold but integrated, making it lovely to drink now with the capability to age in the cellar for decades.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Opaque dark ruby introduces this wine, rich in ripe black currant, blackberry, and blueberry aroma.   There are some complexities of forest floor, aromatic cedar, tobacco, cinnamon toast, and dark chocolate truffle with cocoa dust. The oak is very well integrated, adding just the right amount of spice.  The wine has great depth of black fruits with a strong expression of sweet black cherry in the flavor.  Consistent with the vintage 2013, this full-bodied cabernet sauvignon has a firm tannin structure, lending itself well to years of enjoyment.

Ratings & Reviews: