92 Points - International Wine Report
91 Points - Wine Advocate
Will cellar easily for another 10-15 years.
Winemaking
Made from two vineyards along Skellenger Lane and blended to add expressive fruit character and lush tannins. Each component of this blend spent four weeks fermenting on skins to ensure that the tannins and fruit flavors were balanced. The resulting wine is rich and vibrant, offering vivid flavors of blackberry, raspberry, cassis and mocha. All of the Oakville lots were aged in Darnajou, Bel Air, Jarnac 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, showcasing the dark fruit and richness of Oakville.
Oakville, Napa Valley
This generous and supple 2017 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by Oakville Ranch Vineyard. Located in the hills among famous neighbors Dalla Valle, Pedregal and Backus vineyards, Oakville Ranch produces powerful, rich, structured wines.
Vintage
Napa and Sonoma endured tragic wildfires in 2017 at the end of harvest. We feel very fortunate that the Cabernet Sauvignon wines emerged unharmed and the winery remained safe.
Analysis
Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% berry-sorted Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Open-top fermentation, Native yeast
Aging: 75% New French Oak
pH: 3.54 TA: 6.4 g/L
Bottled unfined and unfiltered June 2019
Cases Produced: 500
Alcohol: 14.5%
Dark ruby red in the glass, and good swirl on the nose offers generous aromatics of cassis, black cherry and spice. Generously oaked, with crushed blackberry, baked plums, baking spices, and Turkish fig. A supple body, gives way to red and dark fruit like plum, blueberry compote, prune, with anise and light spice on the finish.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds. Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish. Truly a chardonnay lovers Chardonnay.
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