92 Points - Wine Spectator
92 Points - Beverage Tasting Institute BTI
92 Points - Tastings.com
Enjoy with Grilled Rib Eye Steak · Lamb Sliders · Roast duck with a cherry reduction · Roasted Eggplant · Cheddar cheese · Flourless chocolate cake
Winemaker: Nils Venge, regarded as one of the foremost pioneers in the Napa Valley wine industry who became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100-point rating from Robert Parker on his 1985 Reserve Cabernet while at Groth.
Vintage: The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised everyone with a beautiful vintage. An unseasonably dry and mild winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season. A relatively warm, but even summer, resulted in early harvest dates, with lower-than-average yields with good quality.
Vineyard: Hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon on October 7-12th. The majority of the grapes came from the dry-farmed 9.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on the estate, located one-third mile north of Oakville Cross Road on Money Road. The estate soils are of Pleasanton and Bale loam series with spots of silt and gravel. Rootstock is Teleki 5C on 6 x 12 ft. spacing. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their Oakville vineyard.
Winemaking: The fruit was sorted in the vineyard and on the crushpad then gently crushed into small fermenters and let to ferment on the skins 14 days after inoculation using ICVD254 yeast. The wine went through a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs twice daily during this period. After pressing, the wine was racked into 60% new French and 10% new American oak barrels and left to age for 24 months. During this time, native malolactic fermentation developed further complexity. This wine was bottled filtered.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley
Harvest date: October 7-12th
Sugar: 24 Brix (average)
Fermentation: Malolactic conversion
Skin Contact: 14 days punch-downs and pump-overs twice daily.
Total acid: 6 g/L
pH: 3.74
Aging: 24 months
Cooperage: 60% new French oak barrels
Bottling date: April 2024
Release date: July 2024
Alcohol: 14.4% by volume
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
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.
95 Points
A powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it's enticing and fragrant, bursting with fresh blueberries, blackberry tart, cedar, black olives, and hints of spicebox. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, sweet ripe black cherries, blackberry cordial, Bourbon-soaked maraschino cherries, maple roasted walnuts, and a touch of vanilla.
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