2018 Pahlmeyer ‘Jayson’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

WA91 Out of the gate, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon delivers bold blackcurrant cordial and blackberry pie scents with hints of bay leaves, tilled soil, unsmoked cigars and cedar chest with a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has crunchy black fruit and loads of minty/herbal sparks, framed by grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and earthy. 
Estate Notes: Our dark, expressive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas and notes of wild blackberries, anise and Italian Castelvetrano olive. Youthful upon release, the wine’s firm tannins will soften over time, whether in the cellar or while swirling in your decanter or glass. Patience rewards as a plush, juicy mid-palate is revealed, confidently leading to the lengthy finish that hints at blueberry jam and warm vanilla. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot.

Our mountain-grown cabernet sauvignon was harvested at night to deliver naturally cooled grapes to the winery by early morning. The whole clusters were gravity-fed onto a vibrating table where they were hand-sorted. The selected clusters were then gently de-stemmed, delivering whole berries onto a vibrating screen for a final hand sorting. After several days of cold maceration, the fruit entered primary fermentation for two to three weeks, was then gently pressed in our stainless steel basket. The wine finished malolactic fermentation in barrel, and aged in 90% new French oak for 17 months.