For two generations, the Lohr family and their team have been leaders in California winegrowing. Founder Jerry Lohr and his three children Steve, Cynthia, and Lawrence oversee one of the country’s most successful and trusted fine wine labels. With first plantings in Monterey in 1972 and then in Paso Robles in 1986, the J. Lohr team helped write the book on sustainable winegrowing on the Central Coast. Today, J. Lohr farms more than 4,000 acres of estate vineyards in Monterey’s Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations, Paso Robles, and St. Helena in the Napa Valley.

Carol’s Vineyard lies in northern St. Helena along the Napa River. Comprised of 27 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.3 acres of Petit Verdot. The well-drained, gravelly, sandy loam soils and Bordeaux-like climate of the Napa Valley are ideally suited to producing richly textured, luxury-quality fruit. Named after Jerry Lohr’s late wife, this special 35-acre property in St. Helena is the source for this limited-release, classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Grown at an estate Napa Valley Vineyard, in the gravelly soils near the Napa River, this is an impressive full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from J.Lohr. The color is a deep garnet hue almost opaque. Aromas of dark stone fruit, cedar, milk chocolate, spices and a warm earth tone leaves a lasting impression that is dynamic and energetic. The tannins are polished and have a silky texture leading to a long, delicious finish. This wonderfully crafted Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon could use a few years of age to show its potential and drink beautifully up to 10 years.

By Perry Miroballi