2019 Houyi Vineyard Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard bristles with energy and tension. Inky, jammy fruit, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and chocolate race across the palate. Readers will find a Cabernet that marries Napa Valley opulence from the structure and strong mineral inflections typical of this hillside site in the Vaca Mountains. This is a fabulous edition of the Houyi. The 2019 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon taken from six different blocks.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A wine that flirts with perfection, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is 100% Cabernet from a site on Pritchard Hill. It’s a dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, and while I normally save that comparison for the Dr. Crane release, it’s every bit as warranted here. Quintessential Cabernet notes of dark currants, tobacco, earth, and chocolate give way to a full-bodied, rich, powerful, yet also perfectly balanced wine delivering ripe tannins, incredible depth, and a magical finish.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard Pritchard Hill is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all coming from the Houyi vineyards on the Nine Suns property. Deep garnet-purple colored, it features all the hallmarks of a classic great Cabernet, revealing notes of crème de cassis, stewed black plums and mulberries with touches of cedar chest, tobacco leaf, crushed rocks, wild sage and iron ore. Full-bodied, the concentrated palate is densely packed with plum preserves and cassis flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, ultimately delivering a nice, long savory/earthy finish.
About the producer
Realm Cellars has become one of Napa Valley’s most compelling modern estates, known for site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawing from some of the valley’s most sought-after vineyards, Realm’s wines consistently earn top critical acclaim while remaining firmly rooted in place.