J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (750 ml)

Tasting Notes For J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is an exceptional wine that showcases the quality of Paso Robles terroir. On the nose, this wine displays splendid ripe fruit, cocoa powder, and graphite. The palate is dense, chalky, and soft, with layers of black currant, mineral, and notes of toasted pastry. This wine is a beautiful example of how Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles can be both powerful and elegant. The new dramatic packaging for this iconic Vineyard Series tier reflects the excellence of this wine and the careful attention to detail that goes into making it.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily grown at three of J. Lohr’s vineyards in Paso Robles, with the majority of the fruit coming from their Shotwell Vineyard in the El Pomar District. The other sites, including the Gean Ranch and small parcels in the Paso Robles AVA, lend a diverse flavor profile to this wine. Blessed with long summer days of intense sunshine and cool, ocean-cooled nights, this wine is a true expression of its place of origin.

In 2020, generous rainfall followed the five-year drought in California, resulting in an average crop set with overall yields under 3 tons per acre for J. Lohr's Hilltop blocks. An extreme heat event occurred in early September, but the Cabernet crop was several weeks away from harvest and came through unharmed. This vintage saw a higher level of sugar and flavor ripeness than had been seen since the string of great vintages from ‘12 to ‘14. The 2020 J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding wine that showcases the exceptional quality of the 2020 vintage.

Critic Ratings