Winemaker Notes
Bold but not showy. The fruit is dark and pure, supported by a creamy texture and soft, generous tannins. A mountain wine through and through— structured, savory and built to last.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The second vintage since they've taken over the farming at this property on Pritchard Hill, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is based on 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc and aged 19 months in 63% new French oak. Killer aromatics of blackcurrants, blueberries, melted crayon/graphite, violets, and scorched earth define the nose, and it's incredibly well-balanced and medium to full-bodied, with ripe, polished tannins and a great finish. Another seamless, pure, ultra-classic Cabernet Sauvignon that deserves 5-7 years of bottle age, it will be incredibly long lived. Drink 2030-2050.
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Vinous
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Estate soars from the glass with layers of rose petal, mocha, dark red fruit, new leather, cedar and blood orange. This bold, punchy Cabernet Sauvignon is classic Pritchard Hill all the way. Graphite, dried herbs, menthol and pine linger on the savory, structured close.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.