Lava Cap Winery, El Dorado (Sierra Foothills, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 Now in the hands of the third generation, Lava Cap draws from its 80 acre vineyard situated at one of the highest elevations in California.  As its name indicates, the soils are predominantly rocky volcanic in composition.  The Cabernet vines here are 40 years old and head pruned.  So it was not a total surprise to taste a Cabernet that is unlike most others that are juicy or ultra ripe and over-manipulated.  This 2019 was aged 20 months in used barrels and was not racked.  After being decanted and aerated, it lets you know this is pure Cabernet with aromas of cedar, blackberry, graphite and tobacco leaf.  On the palate, it shows good concentration as the ripe black fruit and refined tannins work together to lead to a youthful finish.  Medium-bodied, it is extremely pleasant now but has the structure to age well.