2020 J. Lohr Shotwell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard

The J. Lohr Shotwell Vineyard is located in the El Pomar District of Paso Robles. The climate here is a moderate Region II on the Winkler heat accumulation scale, which characterizes it as a quite cool location for growing the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon variety. This tightly spaced, cane-pruned vineyard is laid out with 8 foot by 4 foot vine spacing on calcareous Linne-Calodo soil, and was planted from 2013 to 2015. The undulating hills at this location required that the row direction for planting follow the slope of each block. The cooler climate demands that our J. Lohr viticulturalists closely monitor vine water stress to achieve the ripest possible flavors and softest tannins.

Vintage

Overall, precipitation for the 2020 season in Paso Robles was on par with it’s 25-year historical average. Springtime enjoyed temperate daytime temperatures, which allowed the vines to have good flower bloom, healthy canopy growth, and modest fruit set (after two previous years of above average crop loads). Late August and September saw record heat waves; fortunately, the protective canopies and moderate fruit load allowed the vines to withstand the heat with little desiccation. Ultimately, we chose lots from two separate hilltop locations on our J. Lohr Shotwell ranch to craft this prized Cabernet Sauvignon. Both lots came from clone 169 vines, which are known for low to moderate berry size with high color potential and round tannins. The lots were racked together and aged in 78% 3rd-fill and 22% new French oak barrels to showcase the complex vineyard-driven flavors against a restrained oak backdrop.