Ratings & Tasting Notes:

97 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

A barrel sample of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Block 3 is deep garnet-purple in color and a little mute to start, offering glimpses at warm black cherries, cassis and preserved plums scents with hints of chocolate box, cedar chest, tobacco leaf and iron ore plus a waft of bouquet garni. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with bold black fruit and fantastic tension, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and multilayered.
Barrel Sample: 95-97

Cult Wines International Notes:

The Jax Vineyards Block 3 is a prime example of high-end, single-block Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga, the northernmost and warmest American Viticultural Area (AVA) of Napa Valley. The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as an exceptional year, characterized by a long, even, and temperate growing season that led to perfect physiological ripeness and balanced acidity.

The Calistoga Terroir:
Calistoga’s climate is defined by high daytime heat—some of the warmest in Napa—followed by dramatic temperature drops at night due to cool breezes funneled down from the surrounding mountains. This diurnal shift is critical, as it allows the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to develop immense concentration and color during the day while preserving freshness and a vital acid backbone during the evening. The vineyard soils are typically volcanic and rocky, stressing the vines to produce naturally low yields of highly intense fruit.

The ‘Block 3’ Designation:
The Block 3 designation indicates a special, meticulously farmed parcel within the estate vineyard that showcases the most compelling expression of the Calistoga site. This is a small-lot, cellar-worthy wine built for depth and complexity.

Tasting Profile:
The 2018 vintage in this block yields a wine of profound concentration and structure. It is distinctly full-bodied, showing deep, powerful flavors of crème de cassis, black cherry, and dark chocolate, complemented by savory secondary notes of graphite, dried sage, and polished cedar. The tannins are firm, fine-grained, and integrated, providing the necessary framework for extended aging, while the 2018’s inherent balance ensures a long, graceful finish.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition.