Jarvis Winery
Estate Grown Cave Fermented Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
On my first trip out to Napa (2015), Jarvis was one of the favorites, and so we went back in 2016 and again in 2018. We go to Napa every year, and it’s one of the only wineries we have visited multiple times.
This was part of a retrospective on 2012 Napa cabs, alongside Shafer HSS, Scarecrow, Morlet CdV, Bryant DB4, Dominus, Pulido Walker Melanson, Kapscandy, Buccella Cuvee Katrina Eileen and others. Definitely the most restrained.
For some reason, I always get a streak of green peppercorn on all of the reds from Jarvis. It’s not off putting, just a signature of the winemaking. I’ve never found these wines to be overblown/high alcohol. They aren’t quite Bordeaux like, but they are clearly in between current Napa style and a restrained bridge to Bordeaux. This 2012 was true to the above. Aromatics here has green peppercorn, tar, underripe black fruits and a very fragrant potpourri note. Even after being open a few hours this was strong with zippy acidity surrounded by pepper crusted blackberries, mocha, black cherries and even some leather (not Brett driven, though). Blind, maybe someone takes this to left bank Bordeaux in a ripe vintage…but the kiss of sweetness is hard to take away from Napa. Wonderfully delicious and complex Cabernet starting to enter a great drinking window.
On my first trip out to Napa (2015), Jarvis was one of the favorites, and so we went back in 2016 and again in 2018. We go to Napa every year, and it’s one of the only wineries we have visited multiple times.
This was part of a retrospective on 2012 Napa cabs, alongside Shafer HSS, Scarecrow, Morlet CdV, Bryant DB4, Dominus, Pulido Walker Melanson, Kapscandy, Buccella Cuvee Katrina Eileen and others. Definitely the most restrained.
For some reason, I always get a streak of green peppercorn on all of the reds from Jarvis. It’s not off putting, just a signature of the winemaking. I’ve never found these wines to be overblown/high alcohol. They aren’t quite Bordeaux like, but they are clearly in between current Napa style and a restrained bridge to Bordeaux. This 2012 was true to the above. Aromatics here has green peppercorn, tar, underripe black fruits and a very fragrant potpourri note. Even after being open a few hours this was strong with zippy acidity surrounded by pepper crusted blackberries, mocha, black cherries and even some leather (not Brett driven, though). Blind, maybe someone takes this to left bank Bordeaux in a ripe vintage…but the kiss of sweetness is hard to take away from Napa. Wonderfully delicious and complex Cabernet starting to enter a great drinking window.
Delicious Napa Cab, we are floored.
Delicious Napa Cab, we are floored.
2 people found it helpfulOct 28th, 2013As they say in their marketing materials "cave aged to perfection"... Couldn't be closer to the truth. Beautiful power with grace and elegance.
As they say in their marketing materials "cave aged to perfection"... Couldn't be closer to the truth. Beautiful power with grace and elegance.
1 person found it helpfulMar 23rd, 2015
Dark, oaky, perfect with beef tenderloin
Dark, oaky, perfect with beef tenderloin
1 person found it helpfulDec 26th, 2014
I don't drink many wines out of my league but this one was such a wine on such a night. It was Dr. John shaking hands with Mac Rebennack. Better than corn flakes I'll be trying this wine for the first time again when happenstance realigns.
I don't drink many wines out of my league but this one was such a wine on such a night. It was Dr. John shaking hands with Mac Rebennack. Better than corn flakes I'll be trying this wine for the first time again when happenstance realigns.
Oct 2nd, 2016
Rich, earthy and absolutely luscious.
Rich, earthy and absolutely luscious.
Dec 13th, 2015
Fairly closed. Tannic with nice acidity. This wine is for cellaring.
Fairly closed. Tannic with nice acidity. This wine is for cellaring.
Nov 16th, 2015
Savory herbs, bay leaf and eucalyptus. Dense currants and hard spices #napavalley #1996vintage #jarvis
Savory herbs, bay leaf and eucalyptus. Dense currants and hard spices #napavalley #1996vintage #jarvis
Feb 5th, 2015A wine for Peter Pepper - lots of fresh bell pepper notes.
A wine for Peter Pepper - lots of fresh bell pepper notes.
Jan 16th, 2015