Fall 2022 Member Newsletter

member newsletter

Dear PlumpJack, CADE, & Odette Members,

Finally, we are experiencing the joy of fall weather! The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and we are in the final push of harvest. Those who visited between August and November will likely recall the smell of grape ‘must’ in the air, and perhaps, you’ve even tasted the grapes. This time of year in Napa Valley is extraordinary.

By now, you received your September 2022 shipment—our most anticipated shipment, because of the release of our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon! The Reserve tier of our Cabernet Sauvignon is the best of the best from each of our estate vineyards, crafted in small lots by our winemaking teams. If you are a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Howell Mountain, or Stags Leap District, these wines are not to be missed. This year, we released our 2019 CADE Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, 2019 Odette Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, and re-released our 2018 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville.

We also featured another exciting release from CADE Estate, our 2020 CADE Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville, which is crafted using grapes from PlumpJack Estate in Oakville. This vineyard continues to produce some of the most intensely flavored Sauvignon Blanc winemaker Danielle Cyrot has seen. This juice is fermented in a combination of French Oak barrels, concrete eggs, and stainless steel, giving the wine a purity of aroma and a textural viscosity on the palate. This wine is a stunning example of Sauvignon Blanc from the heart of Napa Valley, Oakville.

This year we are celebrating ten years of incredible winemaking by our Head Winemakers Aaron Miller (PlumpJack), Danielle Cyrot (CADE and 13th Vineyard), and Jeff Owens (Odette). To honor their many accomplishments, we’re offering a rare opportunity to taste our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons from legendary vintages over the last decade at each of our properties from December 8th-12th. We hope you can make it to our tasting rooms for these unique experiences! Our members receive special pricing on this experience. As always, our goal is to ensure you have an enjoyable membership experience throughout the year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Becky or myself if we can assist you with anything or answer questions. Lastly, we would love to hear how you are enjoying the wines!

Happy fall, and best wishes!

PlumpJack Collection Membership Team

Zoë Gallop

Membership Manager

Becky Stallings Membership Specialist

CADE ESTATE

sauvignon blanc

NAPA VALLEY | 2020

VINTAGE

The 2020 vintage from our Estate in Oakville was harvested between August 24th and September 8th, about average for the Estate. Yields in 2020 were also average but this vineyard continues to produce some of the most intensely flavored Sauvignon Blanc that we have ever worked with. We also found the Sauvignon Musqué to be equally stunning in 2020 with great floral notes. The Semillon and Viognier add great complexity to the aromas and flavors of the overall wine.

The wine has aromas of white peaches, white flowers, honeysuckle, pineapple, grapefruit, cara cara orange, lemon blossom, and green apple. In the palate are flavors of green melon, key lime, citrus, banana peel, toasted almond, and lemon custard. The wine has a crisp, clean, finish but a lush, rounded texture as well. The wine finishes with flavors of passion fruit, leechee, crushed rocks, and lemon meringue. We think this is a stunning example of Sauvignon Blanc from the heart of Napa Valley, Oakville.

DANIELLE CYROT

ADAPTATION

cabernet sauvignon

NAPA VALLEY | 2018

VINTAGE

In 2018 we continued to work closely with our favorite local growers throughout the broader Napa Valley. The backbone of this blend comes from Ink Grade (on the back side of Howell Mountain), which provides the framework and structure to carry this wine. This site is complemented by Oso Vineyard, which is located in very close proximity, our Estate Vineyard in the Stags Leap District, Blue Tooth Vineyard down the road from Odette in Oak Knoll, and Las Amigas Vineyard in Carneros. All of these sites come together in unison to create a beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. This diversity and range within the Napa Valley has allowed us to craft a wine which showcases the unique terroir in an approachable, elegant style.

The 2018 Adaptation Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque purple in color, presenting notes of wild blackberries, luxardo cherries, plums, crème de cassis with hints of fresh spring flowers. This full bodied expression displays beautiful ripeness with elegant, very fine, well integrated tannins and a gorgeous silky texture. Built for near term appreciation and long term potential, this forward, upfront and approachable style can be enjoyed over the next decade+.

OWENS

CADE

cabernet sauvignon

HOWELL MOUNTAIN

VINTAGE

The CADE Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from five vineyards on Howell Mountain, including the CADE Estate Vineyard, 13th Vineyard, Ink Grade Vineyard, Cold Springs, and Eagle Summit. The bountiful 2018 vintage started on September 26th, with fruit from the Ink Grade Vineyard and finished on November 9th with fruit from 13th Vineyard.

The resulting wine is fantastic with aromas of clove, cranberry, raspberry, coffee, cinnamon, black pepper, and coco nibs. Gloriously pure notes of boysenberry, graphite, blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate soar from the glass and cascade over the palate. The wine is full-bodied, with an opulent, velvety texture, pure, rich with firm tannins and bold structure that is classic Howell Mountain.

PLUMPJACK RESERVE cabernet sauvignon

OAKVILLE | 2018

VINTAGE

The strategy for the 2018 vintage was patience. The spring was cooler than the last several years. The vines woke up a little later, grew more slowly, bloomed later, and veraison was later. Mild temperatures persisted throughout the summer and into fall. And the grapes ripened very, very, very slowly. Weeks would pass with little progress. Flavors were slow to develop and the grapes remained firm and the skins thick. Rains threatened the vintage with about 1.5 inches falling on October 1st. More rains were forecast to follow, but they did not develop. Fortunately, the weather warmed in October and we were able to let the grapes hang until they reached maturity. Our last grapes came through the cellar door on November 6th, which was the latest close to the harvest in our history.

The long growing season in 2018 allowed these grapes to fully develop rich, dark flavors, while the mild temperatures preserved deeply hued color, great structure, and concentration. The nose begins with blackberry, boysenberry, and cassis layered with mocha and dark chocolate. Then some spice and herb come forward – cinnamon, nutmeg, graham cracker, and fresh sage and mint – adding layers, complexity, and depth to the nose. These flavors come through on the palate as well along with silky smooth, finely integrated tannin, beautiful acidity and freshness, and a long finish.

CADE RESERVE

cabernet sauvignon

HOWELL MOUNTAIN | 2019

VINTAGE

The CADE Estate is situated on a 54-acre property with 21 acres planted to vines. Located in the heart of Howell Mountain, our CADE Reserve vineyards sit at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,850 feet and is planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage also features fruit from our recently acquired 82-acre property on Howell Mountain, 13th Vineyard. Fruit was harvested from October 10th through October 29th.

The 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of blueberry, black berry, black cherry, crème de cassis, mocha, coffee, and brown spices. In the palate are flavors of black currant, cranberry, raspberry, blueberry pie, cola, and caramel. The wine is full bodied, rich, dense, and finishes with intensity, structure, and weight. The wine finishes with a thick velvety texture, and a plethora of blue and black fruits laced with dark chocolate. The Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a selection of the best of the vintage. The best block, best barrels, and overall, a wine that reflects the best of Howell Mountain.

cabernet sauvignon

STAGS LEAP DISTRICT | 2019

VINTAGE

The growing season was extremely steady, with moderate temperatures throughout the year. We had a very even bloom with veraison finishing quickly, resulting in healthy balanced yields. Mild temperatures held late into the season without the threat of rain, allowing extra hang time to develop flavors and phenolic ripeness. In 2019, 25 separate picks across 32 planted acres allowed for optimal ripeness across the entire Estate.

2019 Odette Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens with alluring notes of wild blueberries, boysenberries, black currants, a myriad of graphite, crushed rocks, and hints of star anise and spring violets. Poised and full of energy, this opulent expression of the Stags Leap District carries a remarkable sense of purity and grace, possessing seamless fine-grained tannins and notable freshness. Enjoy over the next 25+ years.