2019 Brecon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Let me paint you a pretty picture (not). Recently, Mr. Damian, our fabled Welsh Winemaker was hiding in his mancave singing a natty Tom Jones number when he heard the news that the 2018 version of this particular Cab was listed by Forbes as one of the world's top 25 wines of 2021. A proud moment indeed. “Cobblers!” he muttered, “this 2019 is better!” So, here it is: the winemaker’s favorite from Brecon’s 58-year-old cab vine–the oldest planted in Paso. Clearly, good things come to those who wait. Nicely balanced and skillfully sophisticated (unlike Damian’s singing) with lingering notes of dark forest fruit, this wine will undoubtedly teach you about the finer things in life.
96pts. Somm Journal. March 2022
94pts. Doug Wilder. Free Run Juice. April 2022
Less experienced winemakers might try to over oak or extract while missing the whole point of a perfectly balanced expression of sensuous maturity. Hence why old-vine Cabernet truly requires a skilled hand. Sure, we use a little Petit Verdot as topping wine. For us it’s akin to slipping granny something to get the venerable old lady doing the fandango at her granddaughter's wedding. The older vines shine through but now have a wicked twinkle in their eye.
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Varietal Composition | 95.91% 2019 CS AD BRECON
4.09% 2020 PV AD Brecon
|
| Appellation | Paso Robles Adelaida |
| Acid | 0.62g/100ml |
| PH | 3.63 |
| Aging | Drink Now - 2031 |
| Residual Sugar | 0.04g/100ml |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 09/01/2021 |
| Cases Produced | 213 |
Brecon vineyard was the third or fourth Cabernet vineyard planted in all of Paso Robles. About 15 acres are still standing strong (amazing since they were planted on their own roots), whereas their slightly older brethren have long since succumbed to a rather large yellow bulldozer. We solely use grapes from the western slope for the Reserve program. For us the economics are unimportant, we have a special duty of care to elucidate the special uniqueness of old vine Cabernet planted on calcareous bedrock topped with linne calodo clay.
