97 Points, Decanter
“100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 30–32 months in ultra-tight grain French oak barriques. The wine displays a shimmering, lucid ruby colour. Gorgeous, dusty, dark berry fruit unfolds with an incredible panoply of mulled Christmas spices and warm berry pie compote. Full-bodied and texturally defined, framed by a core of ultra-fine tannins with added dark berry fruit depth. It is a meal unto itself but better paired with roasted meats drizzled in rich plum sauce and accompanied by prosciutto-wrapped figs.”
Jayson Woodbridge founded Hundred Acre in 1998 and immediately sent the wine world into a craze. He wasted no time proclaiming through his winemaking and his allocation waitlist (that still currently sits at well over a decade) that he was amongst the very best winemakers in the world with the top vineyard sites in Napa.
His Cabernet Sauvignon made the Wine Spectator Top 100 list in his second vintage and earned more than twenty perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate between 2002 and 2015. During the latter part of that stretch, Jayson searched for a few other tiny plots with the potential to produce world-class wines. Once he did, he started ‘Fortunate Son’ a second label capable of producing world-class Cabernet that collectors stockpile like gold.
The best part about the product is the value that it brings the customer even with such a steep price tag. Take this into account: Hundred Acre bottlings rarely make it past an allocation list and when they do, they’re either very high triple digits or into the thousands. Even at those prices the demand is there every single time. This ‘Fortunate Son’ bottling is a product of two vineyard sites – with one of them being a Hundred Acre estate vineyard, and the other being a family-owned vineyard right next to Jayson’s that was planted to 85- to 90-year-old vines! That’s not too shabby at all!
This one has yet to be reviewed by the masses but if Jeb Dunnuck’s early account is any indication, this one will be highly decorated and maybe even threaten perfection from some. It’s that good. Jeb came in at 96 while proclaiming his love for the wine’s balance and noting its “gorgeous tannins and a great finish”. It’s certainly still a baby – but after trying it myself a few days ago, I think it has the bones for something truly special and should have great 25-30 years ahead of it, no problem.