2020 Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Opened a bottle of 2020 Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley last night. This was my second bottle of this wine and I scored the first pretty low. However, I found this bottle more pleasing. Matthiasson is known for making less rich, less oaked, lower alcohol wines and this Cab was all of those things. On the nose it was mostly red fruit with a touch of graphite. On the palate it was juicy red fruit, light minerality, and a very light touch of graphite. Virtually no oak influence was detected (<20% new French oak). I think my initial bad impression of this wine had to do with it being one of my first exposures to this style of Cabernet. I'd move from that score of 88 to 91 on this second bottle. It's a really lovely, fresh and vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon. If you've not tried this style before this would be a good bottle to explore as it's a really well crafted wine. You will be surprised Cabernet Sauvignon can taste this fresh.

https://www.matthiasson.com/product/2020-matthiasson-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon/