Fortunate Son (Hundred Acre) 2022 "The Diplomat" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

95 Pts                                                       
Limited new release from Hundred Acre and an amazing buy in high-end Napa Cabernet. Limited.

previous vintage 96 Points Robert Parker: "Jayson Woodbridge calls this a “21st Century Claret.” The Fortunate Son Diplomat is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with a good dollop of Merlot and a dash of Petite Sirah. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the Cabernet Sauvignon The Diplomat comes skipping out with bright notes of Morello cherries, mulberries, and black raspberries, over a profound core of warm cassis, hoisin and blackberry pie, with wafts of licorice and unsmoked cigars. The generous, full-bodied palate is soft and plush, featuring a powerful black fruit core with a lively backbone and loads of layers on the earthy finish...

....Jayson Woodbridge from Hundred Acre has recently revived this Fortunate Son label that he started a few years ago. “Some of the fruit for this label comes from Hundred Acre vineyards,” said Woodbridge. “Additionally, I’ve negotiated to farm and take per-acre fruit from selected family vineyards in Napa Valley.” More recently, he and his wife, Helen, purchased the historic David Fulton ranch/winery and vineyard, located on Fulton Lane in St. Helena, partly to restore the winery and establish a dedicated winery for The Fortunate Son. The 2021 harvest was the first vintage to be produced at the new winery, while the 2018 wines reviewed here were made at Hundred Acre’s “The Ring” winery. “We’re using the same methods and equipment at the new winery as at The Ring winery,” Woodbridge confirmed."