96 Points - Chris Sawyer "Sommelier to the Stars"
To separate itself from the massive number of Cabernets aged in French oak barrels, this elegant and complex release is aged in fine American oak. As a result, this high-end, limited release offering joins an elite class of producers, including Silver Oak, Peter Michael and Ridge Vineyards, which work with specialty barrels that are hand-crafted with fine-grain wood from oak forests in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and other selected states.
The fruit is from the famed Oakville & Atlas Peak appellations in Napa Valley and slowly aged for 24 months to allow plenty of time to soften the tannins and add layers of additional nuances to the finished blend.
Food Pairings: Blue cheese, roasted eggplant, pan-seared duck with wild berry sauce, juicy ribeye steaks, rack of lamb, and flourless chocolate cake.
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.5% by volume
Aging: 24 months on American oak
95 Points
This Napa Valley Oak Knoll 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.