J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage 2023, Paso Robles experienced record winter rainfall from December 2022 to March 2023. Rain totals for the season were nearly double the 30-year average, recharging the parched soil profiles after two years of drought-like conditions. Colder weather persisted through much of the growing season; veraison occurred during mid-August, about two weeks behind schedule. Thankfully, near perfect warm weather arrived in October and November. Beginning on October 7th, Cabernet Sauvignon for this bottling was selectively picked, block by block, over a 1-month span. This phased approach ensured that each vineyard block reached peak phenolic development and flavor expression. Our final lot was picked on November 8th. This 2023 vintage of Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with a portion of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc freshens the fruit aromas and infuses the finish with a lively peppery character. Petit Verdot adds luxurious blue fruit aromas and hones the mid-palate structure. The foundation of the 2023 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the J. Lohr Shotwell Vineyard, in the cool, Templeton Gap-influenced El Pomar District of Paso Robles. Our J. Lohr Beck Vineyard, which is located at a 1,700 foot elevation on the La Panza range in the Creston District, supplied 35% of the fruit. The final 5% came from our J. Lohr ranches within the mountainous Adelaida District. Our Paso Robles vineyards are blessed with long summer days of intense sunshine; our near 100°F daytime temperatures are followed by chilly, ocean-cooled nights in the 50s.