HUNDRED ACRE WRAITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA 2022

Jayson Woodbridge describes Wraith as his perfect snapshot of the vintage, defined by this blend of all three of his estate single vineyards – Ark, Few and Far Between, and Morgan’s Way (formerly Kayli Morgan). I was able to taste this wine over three days, and it further cemented my impression that Woodbridge’s wines are profoundly structured and balanced and while they offer serious upfront pleasure, they will deliver rewarding complexities with long-term cellaring. Highly recommend decanting the young wines. Upon the first lift of the cork, a heady hit of resin, sap, cedar, and graham cracker crust only hints at what is lurking beneath as mineral nuances shortly emerge. At 15.5% alcohol, it harbours impressive balance. Compact and perfectly knit together, there are no gaps, no edges, and the firm, taut sleek tannin prolife is so perfectly integrated as to be weightless. After half an hour, red-toned fruits with intimations of black become more defined, as pure black cherry, with a crunchy outer skin and a juicy, succulent, flesh core. With more time, the wine becomes beautifully perfumed and elegant, offering hints of chocolate. The sweetness of the fruit is tempting and hovers at the surface, intimating more depth. A day later, the wine is still exceptionally fragrant, with mulled spices emerging, building with intensity layered by black and blue fruit and no sense of imbalance. Still perfectly knit and generous. It begins to drink like a rich Pinot Noir with its gorgeous cedar sappy tannins and even conifer notes. On the third day of tasting, the wine is holding on like a heavyweight champ. It has begun to offer rich, warm earthen humus notes and a real sense of volcanic terroir. It is still broad and expansive with a density of flavour and complexity but manages to remain balletic and almost weightless. Such an impressive feat for a wine that is truly otherworldly. Aged for 40 months in French oak barriques.