A very lovely and fresh, bright expression of 100% Napa Cabernet with nicely delineated dark fruit, liquorice, and tobacco notes. A wonderfully textured, medium-to-full-bodied wine with tremendous concentration on the palate and very fine-grained tannins. Complex brown spices and tobacco mingle with fresh floral notes through a lengthy finish. Grapes are sourced from 3.6 hectares acres off the highest block of the estate, with the oldest vines at 46 years of age. Florence and Daniel Cathiard, owners of Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, bought the property in early 2020. The roughly 87-hectare estate hugs the eastern foothills of the Mayacamas. Justine Labbé is the general manager and head winemaker. Michelle Rolland consults. Picking began on 10 September and finished on 1 October, but they did not use any of the grapes that were picked after the Glass Fire erupted on 26 September.

Wonderful aromas of blackcurrants, dark plums, mint, sage, and dried wood. Some sandalwood. Full- to medium-bodied with tannins that have the texture of fine velvet and run down the length of the wine. Extremely polished and refined. Sophisticated. Firm at the end. This will age beautifully. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2026.

Extraordinary and opulent, this densely concentrated, luxuriously textured flagship Napa wine by Florence and Daniel Cathiard of Bordeaux is their first vintage from the former Flora Springs property. The wine is softly saturated with black currants, blueberries, spearmint and black olives for a comforting, mouth-filling expression that is at once powerful and gentle. It feels layered, deep and creamy. Best from 2027-2037. — Jim Gordon

This is a great wine to come out of the gate with for the Cathiard's new property, gorgeously balanced, expands through the mid-palate, delivers dark chocolate, charcoal, blackcurrant, damson, spiced greengage plum and pomegranate fruits with floral undertones (I believe there is a sliver of Cabernet Franc in here, although very clearly the dominant grape is Cabernet Sauvignon). Feels fresher in many ways than the Founding Brothers, without sacrificing concentration and clarity, because the moutwatering acidity is more apparent, giving it a luscious sign-off. 30hl/h yield. This is largely from the Up and down vineyard plot (named by the Cathiards for obvious reasons), where much of the oldest vine stock is concentrated. Justine Labbé winemaker, Frederick Ammons consultant, 80% new oak. Harvest September 10 to October 1.

There are 9,000 bottles of the flagship 2020 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red, a sturdy blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Marked by scents of black cherries, cassis and cedar, this debut is medium to full-bodied and nicely proportioned but also a bit astringent and drying, in need of time to come together. Finishing with savory elements of mocha, earth and black olives, this wine offers a promising juxtaposition of California fruit with Bordelais sensibilities regarding structure and aging. - JC