2020 was nothing short of a disaster for much of Napa. I was there during the most intense days of the fires in early September for my wife’s birthday. Tasting outside we even had ash fall in our wine glasses! Many Napa producers chose not to make Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux varietal wines from this vintage because of the intense conditions at harvest. My ears immediately perked up when I heard that Cathy Corison had made her wines during this vintage.
For those not familiar with Cathy Corison, she is one of the famed women in California winemaking. Corison is a master’s degree graduate of the Enology program at UC Davis and has previously served as Chappellet winemaker prior to starting her own winery. For years Corison has implemented a trademark more Bordelaise, and restrained style to her Napa wines. If you have never had the opportunity to try these beautiful wines, you will find them to be highly elegant and a wonderful contrast to wines that simply focus on power or concentration. I will not lie that I absolutely love her 2020 releases. These are very clean wines that you can purchase with confidence. Don’t miss out on her 2020 ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet (OB, 94) which exudes class and elegance while maintaining a silky mouthfeel and bright underlying acidity. Even better is the 2020 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which shows amazing depth and verve, coming off very clean and showing great finesse. Learn more about these elegant Napa wines at https://corison.com/ Here is my review of her new Corison wines.
2020 Corison ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Corison ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an astonishingly good wine from this Uber-challenging vintage in the Napa Valley. It shows beautiful black florals on the nose with creme de cassis and coffee ground notes. The palate is silky smooth and very refined tannins that frame a beautiful core of bright black fruits. Espresso grounds and tar notes add to the enjoyment, as this beauty is best enjoyed now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2020 Corison ‘Helios Sunbasket Vineyard' Cabernet Franc- The 2020 ‘Helios Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc is one of the great wines of its kind that I have tasted from this vintage. Red currants mark the nose alongside bright red raspberry, sandalwood and shades of purple rose petals. The palate comes off very bright with soft tannins that frame a core of bright red fruits, salty soils and a strong acid backbone. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2020 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Subbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another lively and very focused effort from this downright tough vintage in the Napa Valley. Once on the nose this takes on layers of Turkish coffee alongside loamy soils, creme de cassis and Kalamata olive notes. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth texture and plenty of concentration. The bright underlying finesse combined with good weight and is classic Corison. Drink this beauty now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 96
2019 Corison ‘Kronos Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2019 Corison ‘Kronos Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning effort from this fantastic vintage in the Napa Valley. Cathy purchased this old vineyard surrounding the winery which was first planted in 1971 on St. George rootstock. On the nose this displays beautiful red and dark florals that are followed by pencil lead, anise and suggestions of dark currant jelly. The palate is intense and impeccably balanced, with a seamless texture and marvelous length. The bright core of underlying acidity makes this nearly impossible to put down right now. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2022-2040- 97