2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hoffman Block, Napa Valley
LONGHORN RIDGE VINEYARD, HOFFMAN BLOCK
93 PTS, Wine Enthusiast
This luxurious, deep and dark wine offers abundant oak spices, dark chocolate and black fruit flavors on a firm and tannic texture. Black figs, blackberries and a hint of black pepper are accented by toast, wood char, cocoa and espresso notes. Age-able, the wine should drink best from 2025–2035. — Jim Gordon
The grapes for this wine come from Longhorn Ridge Vineyard’s Hoffman Block in the eastern part of the valley very close to the Atlas Peak AVA. Neighboring vineyard grapes are used in Caymus Special Select and we are very near to Pahlmeyer’s Waters Ranch. The vineyard is only 8 acres and is on a rolling slope, riddled with granite deposits and produces very small grapes the size of an English pea. Because the yields are so small (less than 2 tons per acre), we only produce a limited amount of wine each year. We use 50% New Bordeaux French oak barrels are used for maturation. While aging for 26 months, the wine is racked every 6 months and returned to the same barrels for further aging. After bottling we bottle condition for a minimum of 6 months, though it is usually closer to a year.
This wine is very dark purple, plum color, evidence of the rich concentration of this low yielding vineyard. The deep aromas are sappy and rich with supple cassis and wild huckleberry notes and backed by integrated vanilla, cigar box and elegant and supple oak spices. The palate entry displays well-structured tannins which will allow for extended maturation and cellar aging. The wine finishes complete with balanced acidity over integrated oak and grape tannins and deep fruit notes and flavors. This wine is very approachable now in its youth, but will age gracefully through 2046 and beyond.
This is a very serious, single vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a “Cult Cabernet” sold at a fraction of its competitors, very limited as it is affordable and sells out fast.