Cathiard Vineyard - Napa Valley 2020

Vinous

90

byNeal Martinthe8/9/2024

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon was the maiden vintage from Daniel and Florence Cathiard, better known for owning Smith Haut-Lafitte. Blackberry, cedar and wild mint appear on the nose, which is pretty tight initially. I appreciate how this gains precision with aeration. The palate is youthful and structured, perhaps a soupçon of Bordeaux in the mix (and why not?) It needs a couple of years, but there is breeding in this Cabernet Sauvignon. It should give years of drinking pleasure. It was interesting to juxtapose this directly with the maiden release from Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet.

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe3/6/2023

Decanter.com

96

byGeorgina Hindlethe2/8/2023

Ripe and juicy blue fruit aromas on the nose with some soft wood spice, acaia, liquorice, a touch of California heat in the aromas but smells fresh and inviting. Clean, supple, lively, pure and focussed on the palate. Tannins take the fore, really quite mouthfilling with ash, smoke, tar, tobacco edges, leather and some meat, underpinning the blackcurrant, black cherry and blueberry fruit. Still quite tense, focused in the centre, driving from start to finish in one line, despite the slight weight and nice density of the tannins. A very soft vanilla sweetness is also apparent. It's both potent and poised, perfumed and pure. You can't get away from the liquorice and tar undercurrent that really marks the wine. Dark, savoury, brooding, a really complete wine. Lots of personality and manages the combination of having both Bordeaux and Napa sparkle. A delicious first vintage from the new Napa estate owned by Florence and Daniel Cathiard of Smith Haut Lafitte. Directors Justine Labbé and Fabien Teigen, consultants Michel Rolland and Frederick Ammons.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

byJane Ansonthe11/9/2022

This is a great wine to come out of the gate with for the Cathiard's new property, gorgeously balanced, expands through the mid-palate, delivers dark chocolate, charcoal, blackcurrant, damson, spiced greengage plum and pomegranate fruits with floral undertones (I believe there is a sliver of Cabernet Franc in here, although very clearly the dominant grape is Cabernet Sauvignon). Feels fresher in many ways than the Founding Brothers, without sacrificing concentration and clarity, because the moutwatering acidity is more apparent, giving it a luscious sign-off. 30hl/h yield. This is largely from the Up and down vineyard plot (named by the Cathiards for obvious reasons), where much of the oldest vine stock is concentrated. Justine Labbé winemaker, Frederick Ammons consultant, 80% new oak. Harvest September 10 to October 1.

Wine Advocate

93-96

byJoe Czerwinskithe5/31/2022

I've appended a question mark to my rating for the 2020 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red because I tasted from only three barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon and there was still some question regarding the ultimate blending and varietal composition of the finished wine. That said, all of the barrels I tasted from appeared fault free, with deep cassis and blackberry fruit framed by cedar and mocha-tinged oak. The older vines and hillside lots showed more structure, as expected, while the valley-floor fruit from 20-year-old vines was seductive and charming. Given the enormous resources the family has devoted to this project, and the near-ideal situation of the vineyards, I'd be surprised if the wines were not world class within five to 10 years.