Lava Cap Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Located in Placerville, California, Lava Cap is owned by the Jones family, who planted their first vines in 1981 and opened the winery in 1986 on a special site in the heart of the Sierra Foothills. This family of geologists specifically selected this location for its prime volcanic soil that is particularly well suited to growing fine wine grapes. They named their new business after this unique "lava cap," where their grapes flourish in the volcanic soil, warmed by the foothill sunshine and cooled by gentle Sierra night breezes.

Beginning with the first vintage in 1986, Lava Cap wines continue to win a steady stream of gold medals and awards from across the country each year. Their winemaking philosophy is to express the elegant and complex varietal character from each block of the family's vineyards. The winemaker, Joe Norman, handcrafts each wine using artisan production techniques to create wines with full flavor and depth. The vineyard manager, Charlie Jones, uses sustainable vineyard practices and integrated vineyard management strategies, he strives to cultivate optimum quality fruit while protecting the environment and ensuring a healthy ecosystem.

This is one of our favorite new California Cabernets, from a small, under-the-radar, family-owned-and-operated estate in the Sierra Foothills. Lava Cap Cab is 100% estate grown, and has lovely structure and vibrant fruit character. Rich spice and cedar notes on the nose transition to notes of wild blackberry. On the palate flavors or black cherry mingle with hints of vanilla. Finishes amazingly complex and smooth. Only 2500 cases produced, which is super tiny by California standards.