95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

From the estate vineyard on Diamond Mountain, the 2021 J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid effort, kicking off with subtle herbal shadings. Those are followed up by ripe red and black cherries and hints of licorice and dark chocolate. Intricate, complex and ripe, this medium to full-bodied wine is silky across the palate, with some fine, cocoa powder-like tannins on the lingering finish. It's impressive and well-priced for the quality.

93pts Decanter

Super juicy blue and black-toned fruits are nuanced by toasty oak spices and bolstered by plush tannins. Full-bodied and imbued with fragrant violets, creme de cassis, and dried thyme with a savoury charcuterie note that lingers on the finish. Perhaps a little heavy on the oak this vintage, but nonetheless enjoyable.

91pts James Suckling

The nose is lifted and vibrant, with aromas of blackcurrants, wild blackberries and mulberry bush. The palate has firmly integrated tannins and acidity, with notes of dark chocolate, cedar and graphite. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.

Winemaker Notes

The J. Davies 2021 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterful expression of the historic Schramsberg property on Napa Valley’s Diamond Mountain. Crafted by two generations of the Davies family, this wine is rooted in tradition and meticulous viticulture. Sourced from low-yielding estate vineyards perched between 500 and 1,000 feet of elevation, the wine embodies the essence of this rugged, cool-climate AVA. The result is an opulent yet structured Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 20 months in 60% new French oak, showcasing the rich history of hillside winemaking with every sip.

Tasting Notes

The 2019 J. Davies Diamond Mountain Estate Cabernet opens with voluptuous black fruit such as blueberry, black cherry, boysenberry and plum, accentuated by undertones of chocolate, cinnamon, blackberry compote, espresso, dark cocoa, prune, clove, mint and herbal notes. Supple tannins anchor the wine’s well-structured palate, where flavors of spiced red fruit and warm spices lead to a rich mouth-filling weight and a lengthy finish.