The 2022 Locked Horns Cabernet Sauvignon meanders gracefully through the kitchen pantry, showing blueberry jam aromatics and a hint of dried herbs. A brief intermission of subtle vegetal notes like green bean fades into a satisfying sweetness. On the palate, a dusty essence of cocoa powder mingles with decadent notes of chocolate syrup, all anchored by structured, gritty tannins that hint at the wine’s aging potential. In true Locked Horns fashion, a site that epitomizes the Stags Leap District, this wine can go the distance. Cellar for 10-17 years to unveil its complexity or enjoy now paired with portobello mushroom gyros with harissa carrots.
The 2022 growing season in Napa Valley saw record-breaking weather events, with 80% of the total rainfall arriving before the new year. This filled vineyard ponds for the first time in two years but was followed by the driest three months on record, leading to an early bud break. Despite the dry spell, healthier canopies resulted from earlier rains. The summer was generally average but slightly warmer than 2021. Harvest started 5 to 7 days earlier than the previous year and was 15% lighter but of exceptional quality. A Labor Day heat wave accelerated harvest, later cooled by a late September rain event. Overall, the 2022 harvest was the most condensed in recent memory.
The 2022 vintage was harvested on September 9th. The grapes were hand-harvested at night when temperatures often dip to 50˚F to capture vibrant acidity and fruit expression in the wine.
We first cold-soaked the must (crushed grapes) for gentle extraction and then fermented in stainless steel, concrete and oak barrel fermenters at 88˚F. Rigorous pump-overs, increasing during the peak of the fermentation, developed deep color, rich varietal character and fine tannins in the wine. The wine was aged in 85% new French oak barrels to meld the bright fruit expression with oak spice nuances. After three months of aging, we blended the vineyard components allowing them to marry for a total of 20 months of barrel élevage. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to present the attributes of the vineyard in the purest form possible, from the dirt to the glass!