Search results for J. Davies :
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine add to summary
90 points
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Deep, well-defined fruit and a fine sense of winemaking polish win this mannerly, well-crafted bottling high recommendation, and, if not among the more dramatic Cabernets to be had, it is as precise and as well-focused as any. Ample, yet never in the least way heavy, and fit with temperate tannins, it is the picture of class from beginning to end and will age handsomely owing to style rather than brawn." - Charles Olken
April 2010
Santé Magazine add to summary
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Aromatic and delicate on the nose with red fruit, pomegranate, and elder flower; vibrant flavors of juicy brandied cherry, cranberry, and notes of sandalwood. Full bodiedwith good acidity and very velvety, silky tannins. Roast turkey."
Volume 13.7
The Wine Advocate add to summary
92 points view 
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 6% Petit Verdot) is a refined, gracious, elegant effort displaying loads of black and red currants intermixed with licorice, mountain flora, and underbrush characteristics. Medium to full-bodied with superb concentration, sweet tannin (especially for a 2006 mountain wine), and good acidity as well as purity, this terrific wine has a Bordeaux-like weight along with the beautiful ripeness and purity of a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon." - Robert Parker
Dec 2009
Wine Enthusiast add to summary
94 points view 
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"This ’06 continues the winery’s recent successes in Cabernet. It’s a lush, opulent wine. In its youth the smoky oak stars, along with waves of blackberries, black currants, plums and a spicy, meaty note suggesting bacon. Beautiful now..." - Steve Heimoff
December 15, 2009
Wine News add to summary
92 points
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Excellent color; purple to the rim. Rich cherry-chocolate scents with notes of oak and dark honey. Compact and crisp with fruit flavors of cherry and blackberry. Youthful, promising cherry-chocolate finish accented by oak." - Tom Hyland
Fall 2009
California Grapevine add to summary
91 points
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“Medium-dark ruby; very attractive, forward, intense, fragrant, spicy, cassis and black cherry fruit aroma with hints of mint and vanilla; medium-full to full body; rich, plummy, textured, ripe black cherry fruit flavors with a velvety mouthfeel; medium full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Precociously enjoyable to drink now. Very highly recommended.” - Nick Ponomareff
August-September 2009
Decanter's California 2009 Magazine add to summary
4 stars
J. Davies - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Voluptuous juicy briary wild berry fruit. Gentle herbal leafiness, cedar, graphite and liquorice. Long, velvety finish." - Linda Murphy
September 2009
Decanter add to summary
4 stars, Highly Recommended
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“Dense, brambly blackberry nose. Rich, fleshy, opulent, highly concentrated, pungent and powerful. Spicy and vigorous.”
January 2009
Wine Enthusiast add to summary
88 points
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Made in a drier, more tannic style compared to some top Napa Cabs, this Bordeaux blend is elegant rather than opulent. It has red currant, licorice and new oak flavors framed by hard, astringent tannins."
December 31, 2008
Wine & Spirits add to summary
92 points, Year's Best Cabernet
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"This sleek black wine has layers of rich tannin, ranging from the graphite feel of pencil lead to something more pungently mineral - it grows in gravelly clay loam and decomposed volcanic soils. The fruit is floral and super-ripe, lasting in balance with the complex tannins."
December 2008
San Francisco Chronicle add to summary
2 1/2 stars
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Compelling aromas - dark berry, vanilla coconut, wet loam, cinnamon stick and charred plum. Substantive palate that is slightly woody but nonetheless shows some sweet blackberry; toasty, with a wood-driven finish." - Lynne Char Bennett
November 14, 2008
Wine Spectator add to summary
91 points view 
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Ripe and fleshy, with a zesty core of red and black cherry, currant and cranberry notes that are pure and focused, showing a dusty, minerally edge and ending with nicely structured tannins." - James Laube
October 31, 2008
Wine News add to summary
92 points view 
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Deep garnet hue with a feathered rim. A bouquet of fresh cherry and Hershey's chocolate. Rich and spicy with black cherry, red licorice and vanilla flavors. While cabernet is the driving force in the blend, petit verdot and malbec add a novel bell peppery spiciness to the finish."
October/November 2008
California Grapevine add to summary
91 points
J. Davies - 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Medium-dark ruby; attractive, initially restrained, herbal, spicy, bright black cherry fruit aroma with floral notes and hints of tobacco and bell pepper; full body; rich, textured, cedary, blackberry fruit flavors; well balanced and structured; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Showed elegance and complexity as it developed with airing. Very highly recommended."
October-November 2008
Quarterly Review of Wines Annual California Best of the Best add to summary
4 stars
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Rich, lush, concentrated, black fruit, coffee and nutty flavors."
Summer 2008
Wine Spectator add to summary
90 points view 
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
"Alluring for its creamy flavors and texture, with a mix of fresh, snappy currant, anise, blackberry and toasty mocha-laced oak. Firms up on the finish, where the minerally notes provide a cleansing aftertaste." - J.L.
January 31, 2008
Wine Enthusiast add to summary
89 points
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“More tannic than in previous vintages, and not as immediately rich, this Cab-dominated Bordeaux blend will benefit from decanting. It needs some air to open up and reveal its heart of cassis. Will develop with six or so years of aging, but doesn’t seem like a longterm cellar candidate.” - S.H.
December 15, 2007
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine add to summary
87 points, one star
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“There is plenty of richness here and all the structure one could want in a wine grown on a mountaintop above the Napa Valley. Missing, however, is the dominant fruit needed to fill in the wine’s musculature, and in its shortfall, the wine, regardless of its genuine attractions, is less that it might have been. Given the site and the attention to detail that the winery, Schramsberg, brings to its products, this is one to watch in the future.” - Charles Olken
December 2007
California Grapevine add to summary
89 points
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“Medium to medium-dark ruby color with purplish tinges; attractive, herbal, cedary, cassis and blackberry fruit aroma with notes of green olive and tobacco; full body; initially plush, supple, plumy, very ripe, chocolaty, dark fruit flavors followed by a rough, drying finish; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Needs a few more years of bottle aging. Highly recommended.”
October- November 2007
Wine News add to summary
92 points
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“Pure cherry fruit aromas with notes of glove leather and new oak. Layers of sweet cherry and mocha flavors with youthful tannins. A well-structured wine, packed with fruit that should continue to improve."
October/November 2007
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences add to summary
Exceptional
J. Davies - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley
“Relatively elegant with red fruit, traces of herbs, and a lovely, balanced structure.”
September 20, 2007
The Wine Report add to summary
89 points
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“...black fruit, vanilla and wood aromas... Herb and cherry jam flavors will improve over the next two years. Pair with juicy prime rib and a dollop of horseradish.”
July – August 2007
Decanter add to summary
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“… outstanding…” - Linda Murphy
April 2007
California Grapevine add to summary
Highly Recommended
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“Medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, cedary, plummy, tarrish, black cherry and blackberry jam aroma with hints of espresso, clove, and creamy oak; medium-full to full body; initially tight, lean, herbal, cedary, textured, blackberry fruit flavors with firm acidity and overtones of toasty oak; medium-full to full tannin; dry finish; lingering aftertaste. Needs a good several more years of bottle aging.” - Nick Ponomareff
Volume 33, Number 1
Los Angeles Times add to summary
Top California Cabernets
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“From the Davies family that has made Schramsberg sparkling wines for years, this new wine is a dark, sumptuous red with plenty of generous fruit and ample textures. Plenty of rich California fruit flavors, but they're nicely grounded by fine gripping tannins.” - Patrick Comiskey
January 3, 2007
Wine News add to summary
view 
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
Top Ten Cabernets of the Year
“Silky, supple, curvaceous Cabernet, very approachable and the epitome of elegance. And this from a mountain-grown wine, which offers come-hither aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis fruit accented by anise, vanilla cream and clove, fine-grain, medium tannins and scrumptious flavors defined by the nose. ...this is a fairly priced, superbly crafted Cab that's a joy to drink from first sip through the extended finish.”
December 2006 – January 2007
The New York Times add to summary
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
The Pour: Napa Sparkle to Make a French Nose Twitch
“…polished, restrained and elegant, without the rugged tannins of some other Diamond Mountain cabernets.” - Eric Asimov
December 20, 2006
Wine Enthusiast add to summary
94 points, Cellar Selection view 
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“The Schramsberg sparkling wine owners jumped into the Cabernet game a few years ago, and it was an impressive debut. The ’03 shows they’re in it to stay. It’s a tight young mountain Cabernet, pert in chewy tannins and acids, yet beautifully structured, with impressively ripe flavors. Despite the powerhouse fruit, it’s elegant. Best now–2020.”
December 15, 2006
winereviewonline.com add to summary
89 points
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“...Fans of the concentrated Diamond Mountain character will not be disappointed with the bright blueberry and sweet spice of this richly structured Cabernet. There's toasty oak, a hint of anise and balanced tannins through the concentrated flavors and lengthy finish.” - Gerald D. Boyd
December 12, 2006
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences add to summary
Exceptional
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“Solid fruit of cassis with hints of olive and plum; substantial acidity gives this wine more food-compatibility than many wines with this much weight.”
Dec. 7, 2006, Vol. X, Issue 41
The Annapolis Capital add to summary
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
...U.S. cabernets worthy of consideration
“Hugh Davies is the mastermind behind the delicious and successful Schramsberg sparkling wines. This husky cabernet, named after his father Jack, is blended with 5 percent malbec and 2 percent merlot grown in the Diamond Mountain District of Napa Valley. Blackberry fruit is abundant with a touch of cassis and clove. Good concentration of fruit.” - Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr
December 6, 2006
Birmingham Magazine add to summary
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“…Aromas and flavors of blackberry, clove and a touch of toasty oak with dense tannins lead to a long and textured finish. It is soft enough to enjoy now with red meat and complex enough to cellar for 10 years.” - Jan Walsh
December 2006
Gay and Lesbian Times add to summary
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
“This sister winery to Schramsberg is made by Jack Davies’ son, winemaker Hugh Davies, in honor of his father. This is the perfect expression of Diamond Mountain fruit, with black currants, chocolate raspberries, rounded tannins and a glorious finish. The wine will improve with age. Beautiful!” - Frank Marquez
August 2006
California State Fair Wine Competition add to summary
Gold Medal, 94
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
June 16-18, 2006
Wine Country International add to summary
Editor's Favorite
J. Davies - 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain District
WCI Editors Favorite Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
“From Napa’s historic Diamond Mountain district, comes this outstanding estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s young, but already drinking beautifully, with sweet blackberry, mocha and vanilla flavors. Aged in French oak barrels to just the right point of toastiness, this beautifully balanced Cab has just a bit of Malbec and Merlot to add interest. Keep your eyes on winemakers Hugh Davies, Craig Roemer and Alan Tenscher.”
Issue 1, 2006