2022 Complant Cabernet Sauvignon UC Davis South Station Vineyard Oakville

Complant is a new father-and-son duo, combining decades of experience on both sides of the pond with incredible vineyard sites here in Napa. The fruit hails from the iconic UC Davis Oakville South Station Vineyard, one of Napa’s top vineyard sites developed by Hamilton Crabb, founder of To Kalon, in the 1840s, and later given to the university. The vines sit on the Oakville bench, known for some of the best soils for growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and is one of the most meticulously farmed vineyards in the valley.

The 2022 Complant Cabernet Sauvignon from UC Davis’s South Station Vineyard in Oakville shows a deep, nearly opaque ruby hue. Its aromatic profile bursts with layered berries—raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, and Persian mulberry—mingled with red cherry, a touch of tobacco spice, and a hint of aged cedar. Subtle accents of red chili and tomato leaf add intrigue. On the palate, bright red fruits and a graceful structure take center stage, delivering flavors of tart cherry, raspberry, currant, and cranberry, with a trace of Santa Rosa plum on the finish. Gravelly, lightly grainy tannins linger alongside the lively fruit and a wisp of dried tobacco, leaving a fresh, mouthwatering impression. At 13.8% alcohol, this versatile, food-friendly wine was harvested just before the intense Labor Day heat spikes.