2018 Jada Vineyard Sawbones
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Tasting notes
Deep, shimmering violet. Oak-spiced dark fruit and floral qualities on the expressive nose. Lush blueberry, cassis and mocha flavors pick up vanilla and allspice flourishes as the wine stretches out. In a broad, fleshy, fruit-driven style, with solid finishing thrust, velvety tannins and resonating blue fruit character. 95% new French oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
The only odd man out was the 2018 Sawbones. I tried two bottles, one showing better than the other, but it has some questionable balance with too much acidity. The blend is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Graciano. Full-bodied and quite ripe, it has bright acidity as well as notes of black and blue fruits, spice, and spicy oak. This one had me scratching my head. Winemaker Joshua Harp, along with top Napa consultant Tony Biagi, continues to go from strength to strength and it seems as if every vintage is the finest to date. The 2018s reviewed for this report are brilliant (I reviewed some 2018s last year as well) and the 2019s might be a step up. No shrinking violets, these are big, rich wines, yet the balance is spot on, the wines show remarkable purity of fruit, and I’d certainly be happy to drink any of them.