Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

Evening settles over Napa Valley in a wash of deep violet, and from the storied slopes of Oakville emerges the 2022 Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine shaped by volcanic soils, late-season intensity, and a harvest paced against rising heat. This vintage channels the quiet power of its hillside site, delivering structure, depth, and a seamless purity that defines classic Oakville Cabernet.

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Nick Goldschmidt
• Owners: Nick & Yolyn Goldschmidt
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vineyard: Game Ranch
• Elevation: 700 ft
• Vines / Rootstock / Clones: Planted 1989 / 110R / Clones 337 & 4
• Soils: Volcanic, clay, gravelly loam
• Pruning / Trellis: Cane / Vertical
• Harvest Date: October 24, 2022
• Harvest Yield: 3.2 tons per acre
• Fermentation: Unfined, unfiltered; vegan
• Barrel Aging: 18 months in Demptos barrels (85% new)
• Alcohol: 14.7%
• TA: 5.7 g/L
• pH: 3.78
• Cases Produced: 2,140
• Cellaring Potential: 15+ years

Sensory Description:

Deep purple with a youthful edge, this Cabernet opens with aromas of blueberry, black cherry, plum, and a kiss of rose petal. The palate is lush and creamy at first sip, followed by mineral tension and a satiny, bright texture held together by fine-grained tannins. Black fruits dominate the flavor profile, blackberry, black fig, and cassis, woven with cocoa, subtle herbs, and a whisper of dark chocolate bitterness that lingers on the finish. Powerful yet elegant, this is classic Oakville with both presence and poise.

Winemaker's Background:

Goldschmidt Vineyards is the creation of Nick and Yolyn Goldschmidt, New Zealand natives whose global winemaking journey eventually led them to Sonoma and Napa. Today, their children remain involved in harvest and cellar work, carrying forward a family tradition built on precision, site expression, and a grounded respect for the vineyards they steward. Through their Hilary Goldschmidt series, Nick focuses on single-site Cabernet Sauvignons that highlight exceptional Napa Valley terroir with clarity and authenticity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F) to reveal the wine’s full depth. This Cabernet shines alongside rich, hearty dishes such as lamb chops, ribeye steak, burgers with portobello mushrooms, braised beef short ribs, and roasted root vegetables. In the evening’s quieter moments, it pairs beautifully with aged cheddar, gorgonzola, gouda, or dark chocolate desserts.

A wine of tremendous balance, depth, and longevity, the 2022 Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek Cabernet Sauvignon captures the strength of a warm Napa season shaped by careful, intuitive harvest decisions. From the vineyard to the glass, it reflects the craftsmanship and conviction that define Goldschmidt’s most cherished bottlings.