Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Full-bodied dry red wine · Lewelling Vineyards
Vintage: 2020
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine
Producer
Lewelling Vineyards
Country
United States
Vintage
2020
Region & Appellation
Napa Valley, St. Helena AVA
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
Color & Appearance
Deep opaque ruby-purple with a youthful violet rim, showing high viscosity and slow-moving legs.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, cassis, and blackberry, layered with secondary notes of sweet vanilla, dark chocolate, and subtle undertones of fresh sage and graphite.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and structured initial palate impression that unfolds into a lush, layered mid-palate of concentrated dark fruits, finishing with remarkable length, fine-grained tannins, and a persistent savory edge.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry, black currant, and dark plum, complemented by non-fruit nuances of espresso, cedar, clove, and a distinct dusty minerality typical of St. Helena.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, rich, and plush mouthfeel, boasting high extract levels and a polished, seamless texture.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus acidity providing vibrant freshness to balance the rich fruit, supported by firm yet exceptionally fine-grained, ripe tannins.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry
Alcohol Content
14.5% ABV
Aging & Oak
Aged in French oak barrels (predominantly new) for approximately 20 months, imparting elegant notes of vanilla, toast, and baking spices.
Food Pairings
Ideal with prime ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb, braised short ribs, or aged artisan cheeses like aged gouda and white cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F in a large Bordeaux glass. Decant for 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow the aromas to fully unfurl.
Price Range
$100 - $150 USD
Quality Assessment
Icon/cult tier, consistently earning high 90s scores from major wine critics for its exceptional depth, balance, and aging potential.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested grapes sorted meticulously, fermented in temperature-controlled tanks with gentle pump-overs, and aged in French oak without fining or filtration.
Terroir
Grown in the alluvial, well-draining gravelly loam soils of the St. Helena AVA, benefiting from warm summer days cooled by evening breezes from the San Pablo Bay.
History & Heritage
The Lewelling family has farmed in St. Helena since 1864, making them one of the oldest winegrowing families in Napa Valley, transitioning to producing their own estate wines in the 1990s.
Interesting Facts
John Lewelling, the family patriarch, brought some of the earliest vinifera grape cuttings to California across the plains by wagon in 1847.
Cellaring Potential
Excellent cellaring potential; approachable now with decanting, but will continue to evolve and peak over the next 10 to 15 years.
Similar Wines
Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon