In 1974, Jess Jacksons purchased 32 acres of land in California and began planting grapes. This marked the beginning of the Kendall-Jackson winery's enormous growth and success. Many years later, expansion followed, including the acquisition of Freemark Abbey, one of Napa Valley's most respected wineries, whose history dates back to 1886. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines are located in an old part of Napa Valley, deep in the soil, and produce full, powerful bunches. Indeed, to make such wine, you need to come from good families, and for this reason, Freemark Abbey is considered the father of the region. Everyone respects the history and, of course, the way this beautiful winery cultivated its wines. Today, Freemark Abbey wines are beloved worldwide and, unfortunately, sell out every year. Fortunately, we were able to acquire a few bottles.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are hand-harvested with love and dedication and then aged in oak for at least 28 months—yes, you read that right. This long period is crucial for this fine wine, as it develops countless flavors. Because 30 percent of the barrels are new, it also develops beautiful nuances from the oak. This is clearly noticeable in the aroma, with hints of blackberry, cherry, oak, vanilla, licorice, chocolate, tobacco leaves, and much more. After about 10 minutes of nosing the glass, we take the first sip. It's full and complex on the palate with a fine tannin structure. Tasting notes of ripe black fruit, pepper, and chocolate make it a true delight. The palate continues to develop, intensely aromatic with subtle nuances of smoked oak, herbs, tobacco, and pepper.
As with many Napa Valley Cabernets, there's also a small addition of other grapes. The final blend is:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Merlot,
2% Malbec,
2% Petit Verdot &
1% Cabernet Franc
