97pts Decanter

Winston Churchill inspires this wine and embodies a purity reminiscent of fine Claret—a quality Jayson believes could rival the greatest vintages from France. Made with pure intention, it’s bright and lifted, with gorgeous savoury sagebrush nuances. The tannins are silky and delicate, delivering a seductive, luscious texture. Crushed cacao nibs and dried floral notes add complexity, while the wine’s tremendous staying power and spiciness shine through on the long finish. Enjoy this while preparing the main course.

Winemaker Notes

A dark and rich wine sourced from small, family vineyards. Aged for 24-30 months in the finest French oak barrique. The stave wood is hand-selected for ultra-tight grain, then air dried for three years before being made into barrels.

Vineyard Notes

Jayson Woodbridge from Hundred Acre has recently revived this Fortunate Son label that he started a few years ago. “Some of the fruit for this label comes from Hundred Acre vineyards,” said Woodbridge. “Additionally, I’ve negotiated to farm and take per-acre fruit from selected family vineyards in Napa Valley.” More recently, he and his wife, Helen, purchased the historic David Fulton ranch/winery and vineyard, located on Fulton Lane in St. Helena, partly to restore the winery and establish a dedicated winery for The Fortunate Son. The 2021 harvest was the first vintage to be produced at the new winery, while the 2018 wines reviewed here were made at Hundred Acre’s “The Ring” winery. “We’re using the same methods and equipment at the new winery as at The Ring winery,” Woodbridge confirmed.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah