The new Nine Suns 2018 delivers a massively impressive experience, on par with many of the well-established Cult Cabernet we judge. Just a mere youth, this new release is tightly wound with a luxuriously smooth blend of bold and rich dark fruit + delightfully fresh tannins that provide sublime enjoyment now and bodes well for pleasure for at least another decade. The core palate displays sumptuous notes of blackberry, dark cherry, plum, pipe tobacco, cocoa and espresso complimented by creamy vanilla oak on the prodigious finish.  We recommend decanting prior to 2024 and predict this age-worthy gem will continue to thrill through 2030.

The Winery

The Chang Family purchased this property in 2010 from developer and majority owner
of the San Diego Chargers football team, Alex Spanos. The Chang’s three children
(Aimee, Jason and Chris) have all been instrumental in the development of the property,
winery and brand.

Their 40 acre property is planted to 23 acres of vines (HOUYI Vineyard) – all five
primary Bordeaux red varieties are planted on site including the majority, Cabernet
Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite, Verdot and Malbec.
As with a number of their Pritchard Hill neighbors, their own soils are extremely rocky
and iron rich red in color. Vines were already here when the Chang’s purchased – the
oldest vines on site date to 2004. After purchasing the property the family initially sold
the grapes to several premium producers and continue to do so including to premium
Napa producers Realm and Fairchild.

The name Nine Suns was carefully chosen to honor their heritage. Nine Suns is part of a
Chinese legend (often told to children) where 10 individual suns would rise and set each
day taking turns doing so. One day all ten suns rose at once and the earth soon suffered
due to the heat. Houyi, a mythological Chinese archer was given the task of eliminating
the suns – he successfully shot down 9 suns leaving only one.