John Anthony Vineyards

"The 2020 John Anthony Reserve Syrah was carefully sourced from a micro-block at Crane Vineyard, one of the first plots planted to the Hermitage Clone of Syrah by John nearly 25 years ago. A deep, inky hue foreshadows a medley of black, blue, and red fruit aromas—olallieberry, huckleberry, and dark cherry with intriguing notes of kalamata olives. Followed by flavors of preserved berries, fresh savory spices, and a touch of black pepper. Mid-palate tannins command attention and release into an incredibly long finish, showcasing a subtle yet robust power in the mid-to-back palate. Aged for 20 months in 80% new French oak barrels. Only 100 cases produced."

"The Reserve Merlot represents an ultra-limited selection of the finest barrels from the vintage—all from Crane Vineyard, the first vineyard that John planted in 1996. Deep ruby-purple tones dominate in the glass. The bouquet is loaded with blue flowers, black cherry, and chocolate-covered espresso beans. Sturdy and structured on the palate, releasing flavors of pomegranate, kirsch, and anise. Firm tannins relax with velvety progression into an elegant yet powerful finish. Aged for 20 months in 67 percent new French oak barrels. Only 50 cases produced."

"The John Anthony Reserve represents our finest expression of the vintage, blended from the most exemplary barrels. For the 2019 vintage, we selected lots from the rocky, hillside terrain of Twisted Oak Vineyard, complemented with fruit from head-trained, dry-farmed vines at Coombsville Vineyard. The nose opens with aromas of berry pie, baked boysenberry, and sweet pipe tobacco. Notes of elderflower, lilac, and truffle emerge as the wine opens up. The palate entry is commanding, with stunning balance and plush textures. High mineral tones reverberate through the dense fruit core, wrapped in silky, weighted tannins. Aged for 28 months in 100 percent new French oak barrels. Only 200 cases produced."

"Our first release from a micro-estate adjacent to the home of John Anthony Truchard, prized for its distinct position in the Los Carneros AVA. Deep garnet hues anticipate classic cool-climate aromas of briar fruits, lavender, cracked pepper and cured meat. A high-toned entry leads to enveloping flavors of black cherry, huckleberry and Lucques olive with accents of graphite and smoked game. Tightly wound tannins crescendo with feathery breadth on the finish. A powerfully elegant wine that inaugurates a new era for John Anthony Syrah."

Vintage Notes: Mild weather created ideal conditions at the start of the 2020 growing season, with an early bud break prompted by a relatively dry winter. A warm summer in Napa Valley found moderation in Los Carneros by way of marine breezes from San Pablo Bay. The Syrah crop was marked by small berries that ensured notable structure and concentration.

"The 2018 vintage continues its ascendance in the best barrel of wine selected from what has been one of our most nuanced and complex vintages of the decade. This ONE Cabernet Sauvignon is 70% from our Twisted Oak Vineyard, a hillside site that grows fruit of intense character from steep elevations and soil drainage, and 30% from our Coombsville Vineyard, a cooler climate, dry-farmed, head-trained site that develops fruit with a deep, rugged personality from its stressed growing conditions. This is the first vintage we selected a highly allocated new French oak barrel whose proprietary assemblage was curated for long cellaring that magnifies the wine’s power and precision. Chocolate covered black cherry, briar fruit, savory panatela and warm earth fragrances. A rich and refined texture envelops the palate with ripe blackberry and red plum, fresh leather, sweet pine, iron and graphite, all concentrated with a bracing energy from balanced acid and structured tannins. The 2018 ONE Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed now with decanting and cellared for decades to come."

- John Anthony Truchard

Flooding rains early in the growing season with cool temperature October showers. Amber in color with notes of pineapple upside down cake and coconut chips, baking-spiced butter and dried, white flowers on the nose. Intense flavors of dried apricot, baked guava, toasted macadamia and black cardamom.

"Less than one acre of “Hermitage” clone syrah on the Crane Vineyard has become the dominant expression in this wine. On the nose, powerful fresh blackberry, Chambord and preserved fig are followed by black pepper, olive and brisket. The wine is compact and opens up beautifully with time. On the palate dark berry and plum mingle with rosemary, star anise and bacon notes with velvety tannins. The result is a wine of incredible balance: tension and energy, plush and structured, sweet and savory."

“This is the second single vineyard release of our popular Oak Knoll District Syrah, now sourced exclusively from two acres within the Crane Vineyard. Dark fruit aromas and classic Rhone spice. Hints of brown butter with toasty vanilla and clove outline hints of cracked pepper. A powerful wine with structure and great length."

"Our most popular single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon continues to prove itself worthy of its status. Black fruits and savory secondary flavors continue to characterize the wine’s aromas. It is a compactly built wine, having experienced stress in the vineyard through dry farming and head pruning. Its tannins are polished and there is a vibrant personality to the wine unlike any other in our portfolio. Wild berries, plums and dark pitted fruits combine for an array of flavors that are followed by herbs de Provence, loamy minerality and umami."