94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points - RP
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
92 Points - International Wine Report
92 Points - California Grapevine
The finish is long and harmonious, with rich fruit flavors lingering extensively. Will drink great for 10-15 years.
Winemaking
The vintage ofered smaller berries that achieved optimal tannin maturity in the vineyard resulting in both power and elegance. After three weeks or maceration, these wine lots had achieved optimal extraction and were gently pressed. The Oakville Cabernet was aged in Darnajou and Taransaud barrels, which framed the elegant flavors and allowed the young wine to develop harmoniously. After 20 months in barrel, the wines were racked and bottled unfined and unfiltered, showcasing the classic dark fruit and richness of Oakville.
Oakville Vineyard, Napa Valley
Sitting at 1,000 to 1,400 feet above sea level with a westward aspect overlooking Napa Valley, the vineyard was replanted in 2006 by esteemed organic viticulturist Phil Coturri, and is fast gaining a reputation for producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The vines are trained meticulously to a 2-cane VSP system. Each shoot is positioned by hand and thinned to one cluster per shoot, providing maximum concentration and flavor. Clusters are small and loose with tiny berries, which have excellent color and flavors at harvest. The rocky clay, loam and basalt soils have a heavy iron influence providing structure, power and depth.
Vintage
In 2016, California experienced a fifth year of severe drought conditions. The vintage was yet another standout for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, with an intensity of flavor and depth of concentration that harnessed the full potential of the renowned Oakville AVA. Moderate summer temperatures allowed sugar levels and flavor development to progress slowly and evenly. A few brief heat spikes gave way to a cooler than normal August, allowing for longer hang times without rapid sugar accumulation.
Analysis
Appellation: Napa Valley
Vineyard: Oakville Vineyard
Varietal Composition: 100% berry-sorted Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Open-top fermentation, Native yeast
Aging: 75% New French Oak
pH: 3.65 TA: 6.2 g/L
Bottled unfined and unfiltered June 2018
Cases Produced: 1000
Alcohol: 14.5%
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Aromas of cocoa mingle with notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry coulis, graphite, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cedar. The palate is harmonious as the richness of barrel spice melds seamlessly with juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors. An incredibly polished texture, even at a young age. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
97 Points
Black cherry, cassis, and oak envelope your senses. Showcases a luscious, ripe essence of blackberry and black cherry, artfully complemented by subtle notes of vanilla and spice on the palate. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
92 Points
Bright, focused and wonderfully energetic! Earthy notes of cherry bark, black raspberry, and cola nut, with touches of sweet clove and orange zest. Fresh pomegranate juice with herbaceous notes of spearmint, evergreen and a subtle hint of lemon verbena, flanked by racy acidity, refined tannins and a subtle salinity.
91 Points
This is primo fruit from high elevation vineyards in his Moon Mountain vineyard. Inky-black in the heart and purple blazing to the rim, offering up a nose of ripe cherry and violet, dried plums, figs, dates, and some black cherry. The first sip offers a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of chocolate with plenty of oomph. The palate builds as black and red berries mix with herb, exotic spices, and supple tannins to create a long, silky smooth finish.
96 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spicy cola and black tea waft from the glass. The palate delivers all of that and then some, adding layers of fig jam, white peppercorn and baking spice. Firm juicy tannins and balanced acidity round it out.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
92 Points
Aromas of red raspberry, jammed dark fruit, cinnamon spice and clove. Hints of sliced ripe plum, black tea and lavender oil adds to its complexity. Flavors of blueberry, elderberry, and cranberry are enhanced with oak spice and baking notes from the barrels. These flavors marry with soft tannins for a long and mouthwatering finish.
92 Points
Rich, full-bodied with flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla and enticing oak spice. Dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured of ripe black plums, dark cherries, cocoa and mint flavors fill the mouth that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.
93 Points
Exotic aromas of candied fruit and baked apple, and the palate is similar, showing cherry, ripe berries, and floral notes. Great acidity and lively fresh fruit flavors of tart cherry and pomegranate, and the mouthfeel is silky smooth making this an ideal summer wine, pairing beautifully with a wide range of food. Almost dangerous in how easy it is to drink.
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