95
Points
Technical info
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Red Wine
Blend
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Oak treatment
23 months in 100% French oak (60% new)
Winemaking
We select only the finest vineyard blocks from our estate to make this Reserve, beginning with a block selection then an individual barrel selection. The fruit is grown in heavier, rockier, gravelly soil types at slightly higher elevations of 200–500 ft, which contributes to its unique flavor profile and depth. To maintain the unique characteristics of lots from different areas of the vineyard, each was monitored carefully throughout the vinification and aging process. Only the most expressive are chosen for this Reserve bottling. Extended maceration created more dominant tannins, deepening the lush mouthfeel while extracting maximum color, aroma, and flavor. The wine was aged in small French oak barrels (60% new) for 23 months, enhancing the rich mouthfeel and structure.
Vintage
The first half of the 2022 harvest started calm and early, with healthy vineyards offering fruit with bright acidity and fruit-forward flavors. An historic heat wave came in early September, ramping up the pace of ripening, compelling a fast-and-furious harvest for best quality. The second half was much more predictable, with cooler temperatures through October, so later-ripening varieties, like Petit Verdot, could develop their full flavor and tannin profiles.
Vineyards
Located in a remote and bucolic location in Sonoma County, just 17 miles north of Beringer’s Napa winery, Knights Valley lies in the shadow of Mount St. Helena. There, hilly terrain descends to rocky, alluvial soils where ancient rivers once ran. Warm during the day and cool at night, this well-draining
site produces bold, richly structured reds with intense dark fruit.
