Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023
The Somm Journal 95 Points | This is Pine Ridge’s flagship wine - a workhorse that features some Petite Sirah and sees both French and American oak. Tannins are teeth-kissing versus teeth-grabbing, while power and concentration are exhibited through a satin-lined mouthfeel that’s also juicy and fresh, with dark chocolate, plum, graphite, and sweet soil. The fruit shows balance between depth and restraint.
James Suckling 92 Points | Bright and lifted aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, violets and raspberry coulis. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, a textural mouthfeel and a finish of licorice, blackberries and bitter chocolate. Succulent and focused. Drink or hold.
Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Aged 18 months in 35% new French oak and 15% new American oak, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley sports a saturated purple hue as well as loads of black and blue fruits intermixed with leather, Asian spices, and hints of vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, and mouthfilling, with sweet tannins and a good finish.
Winemaker Description
Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a combination of estate fruit from Stags Leap, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford and Carneros, and grapes from select Napa Valley growers with a focus on sourcing around our home in the Stags Leap District.
The 2023 growing season began with heavy winter rain, replenishing our reservoirs and lakes. Bud break was delayed due to a cooler than usual season, typically occurring once every 10 to 15 years. Despite this, we enjoyed a lengthy season with yields from average to 10% above average. With no disease pressure, increased soil water, and extended hang time, 2023 is destined to be legendary. Our vines thrived with healthy canopies, and the grapes ripened slowly, ensuring this “once-in-a-decade” vintage provided fruit that could perform at the apex of quality.
Since our founding in 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards has invested in 160 acres of estate vineyards, 47 of which are in our home appellation, Stags Leap District. The fruit for this vintage was chosen from our premier sites set throughout the Napa Valley including our estates in Stags Leap, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford and Carneros. The 2023 vintage was harvested from September 29th to November 2nd. The grapes were hand-picked at night, carefully sorted in the vineyard, then brought to the cellar and de-stemmed. This meticulous care taken in the vineyard by our Viticulture Director Gustavo Avina and his crew delivered bright, ripe fruit, with substantial mouthfeel and complexity. Following a cold soak, a high-temperature fermentation occurred to ensure maximum flavor and color extraction. The wine was racked to 35% new French oak and 15% new American oak barrels and aged for 18 months prior to bottling. 50% was aged in neutral French Oak to maintain the freshness and elegance of the vintage.
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