• French & American oak
• Black cherry
• Peppercorn
• Bold tannins

"It's sweetly ripe and inviting on the nose with dark berry, roasted nut, smoky bacon and dried herb aromas, leading to a beautifully weighted palate offering supple texture and rounded tannins, finishing long and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jun 2023

The 2021 Clay Creek Vineyards Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with aromas of peppercorn, blackberry and black cherry that mingle with subtle nuances of violet and charred oak. The palate is dominated by intense flavors of dark fruits, black currant, clove and spice. This dark and dense wine boasts bold tannin structure leading to a generous finish.

The 2021 vintage was ideal for producing high quality wines, the vineyard temperatures were consistent, warm days and cool nights. Our Lodi climate allows the vineyard temperatures to vary from just above 100 deg F during the day to cool 65 deg F in the evening. Fruit development progressed at an even pace allowing for the grapes to ripen and produce the dark fruit flavors sought after in our Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Lodi region’s Mediterranean-like climate and sandy soils produce wines with intense color and rich, concentrated flavors. Lodi experiences warm days and nights that are cooled by the Pacific breezes funneling through the Carquinez Straits.

Picking decisions are based on winemaker evaluation, vineyard condition and proper flavor ripeness. The grapes are picked in the cool of the night, destemmed and slowly warmed to fermentation temperatures. After fermentation, a portion of the blend was racked onto French and American oak while another portion is maintained in stainless steel. This allows the winemaker with blending options to craft the bold and structured wine.