Winemaker Notes
A true expression of the Pritchard Hill terroir, Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was first released in 1992 and is culled solely from grapes grown on the estate’s 13-acre vineyard. This First Growth wine conveys the long winemaking history of the region, a confluence of climate and soil plus a team of experts committed to nurturing its creation. Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon possesses ethereal aromatics and pure minerality that give focus and energy. The complexity of the site yields unusually dynamic wines for a single varietal. The wines of the mid-90s inform our current, somewhat more restrained approach towards crafting wines that demonstrate structural elegance, balance with good acidity and plush tannins — all elements that make them very age-worthy.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Subtle and complex aromas of blackcurrants, mushrooms, bark, flowers and fresh herbs. A full-to medium-bodied wine with persistent, powdery and polished tannins that give a dense, silky texture. Succulent and juicy at the end with almost blood-orange character. Purity and energy.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon comes entirely from the estate on Pritchard Hill. It boasts intense aromas of ripe cherries, vanilla and mocha, with just enough mint, sage and bay leaf notes for balance. While it's concentrated and full-bodied, it's also not at all over the top, with a lush, silky mouthfeel, moderate tannins and savory counterpoints to the ripe fruit on the long, elegant finish. It's a terrific wine, one that sidesteps dated stereotypes of California's mountain Cabernets, reflecting the modern aesthetic of the current proprietor and winemaker.
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Decanter
2019 enjoyed an even growing season with no extremes and a leisurely harvest. This pure Cabernet Sauvignon has an imposing blackcurrant nose. The palate is predictably rich and opulent but there's no heaviness, and the fruit is concentrated yet not to excess. Despite a rather warm finish, the wine seems balanced and has fine length. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2040.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.