2022 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

(92 Points)  -------  (Decanter)

Winemaker Kristy Melton notes that all estate fruit is now certified organic and regenerative, and she has continued to refine the winemaking approach. Beginning with the previous vintage, Melton shortened the oak aging period for the Napa-tier Cabernet Sauvignon from 24–30 months to 18–20 months. Starting with the 2022 vintage, all single-vineyard wines will also be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2022 Cabernet reflects the ripe, juicy dark-fruit profile of the warm vintage, with layers of blue fruit compote and kirsch. On the palate, it’s plush and satiny, with impressive depth of fruit, plump, fine-grained tannins, and a long fig-laced finish. Approachable now, but structured enough to evolve beautifully over the next decade. Aged 20 months in 47% new French oak.