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Bryant Family Vineyard: tasting these elusive Napa Cabernets

Bar one, the cult California Cabernets of Bryant Family Vineyard have long eluded Decanter’s Stephen Brook. But at a tasting of the new 2019 wines and some mature vintages, he had the chance to see if its reputation is justified.

Pritchard Hill is a little known enclave just west of the Silverado Trail and to the south of Howell Mountain. Donn Chappellet was the pioneer here, in 1969, then in the late 1980s Don Bryant, a businessman from St Louis, Missouri, bought neighbouring vineyards.

The vines were planted to a range of varieties, including Gamay, that were of no interest to Bryant. Moreover they were not well looked after. So he replanted the entire 6ha to Cabernet Sauvignon, although other Bordelais varieties were added later.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of six Bryant Family Vineyard wines


Bryant Family Vineyard: Stephen Brook rates six wines


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