Expert Reviews - Vingage 2023
The Wine Enthusiast by Tonya Pitts writes 92 Points | There are so many gems coming out of the 2023 vintage in California. Flavors of fresh-picked red berries, plums, pomegranates, mint sprigs, a kiss of earth and sunshine tell the story of a short but almost perfect growing season. Pick this one up and give it a whirl on the dinner table.
The Tasting Panel 91 Points | This bright and shining red is a floral beauty packed with peony, violets, orange blossom, and red tea. Cherry pie arises on the midpalate.
Winemaker Description
Production:
• Regeneratively farmed
• Certified sustainable per “Lodi Rules”
• Aged 12 mos. in seasoned French oak
• Vegan-friendly
Composition: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon • 25% Nero d'Avola
Eye: Deep garnet core, translucent ruby rim.
Nose: Gardenia, lilac, lavender, violet, black cherry, dried rose petals, spicy cedar, cigar box, and sweet vanilla.
Palate: Ripe blue & black fruits with subtle citrus, eucalyptus & brown sugar. Structured yet lush and creamy with soft, supple tannins that lead to an endlessly
delightful finish.
Pairing inspirations: Grilled portobello mushroom with balsamic garlic glaze, Moroccan spiced lamb, spaghetti Bolognese, vegetable lasagne, wild mushroom risotto, Margherita pizza.
House of Brown is a second-generation wine label under the BROWN Napa Valley umbrella, which also includes Chaos Theory and is anchored by flagship Brown Estate.
The Brown family have been in Napa since 1980. Siblings Deneen, Coral, and David began making wine in 1996. Raised by two medical professionals in a “Blue-Zone” household in Southern California, they all pitched in at their parents’ medical clinic. There, they adopted what would become a guiding principle in their wine business: Do no harm.
The creation of House of Brown was inspired by an extraordinary community of wine consumers who for over two decades had been finding themselves at home with Brown Estate, and in 2017 began assembling at the family’s then newly opened Brown Downtown Napa tasting room. This period marked an evolution in wine consumer demographics, with the industry at large seeing an influx of young and culturally diverse enthusiasts coming to the fore — dynamics that have been manifest at Brown for decades.
House of Brown was established in 2018 to expand access to the Brown wine experience, then nearly 25 years strong. The label designs are an homage to the brand’s Feel Seen ethos, and to the sense of welcome and belonging that are hallmarks at Brown. Produced with the same commitment to purity and balance that is foundational to Brown Estate, House of Brown wines are regeneratively farmed, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly.
House of Brown is 100% family-owned + 100% Black-owned, and the brand is women-led.
Memo Summary Notes
The House of Brown Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a relatively new addition to the "next-generation" lineup from the legendary Brown Estate—Napa Valley's first Black-owned estate winery. This Lodi bottling is designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and highly aromatic.
Highly versatile. It pairs excellently with Margherita pizza, grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic glaze, Moroccan spiced lamb, or wild mushroom risotto.
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