90 points - Wine Enthusiast
The 2005 Owl Ridge Brigden Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color, with just a hint of bricking at the rim. Interestingly, in both appearance and on the nose, the 2005 seems a little bit more mature than the 2004 we tasted earlier in the year, which just means that the 2005 is ready to go now, and doesn’t need to be cellared to bring out Cabernet’s beautiful leather and tobacco notes. Speaking of which, the nose is loaded with leather and tobacco, along with black cherry, brambly blackberry, and dark chocolate. The palate shows cherry, mint, cassis, plum, and more leather, with silky smooth tannin and wonderful acidity. This is a great example of a mature California Cab that has plenty of ripeness yet remains balanced. Enjoy this one over the next couple of years and take advantage of the fact that Owl Ridge has perfectly cellared it for you!
Vineyard, Vineyard & Winemaking Notes:
2005 vintage was characterized by a cool long growing season marked with maximum temperatures in the mid-80’s. The Brigden vineyard had a very nice crop set, but due to the cool temperatures it was clear that the fruit would not ripen in the quantities that the vines carried. While it was distressing to reduce the fruit load, the vineyard owner, Michael Brigden, agreed to drop half the fruit in the vineyard and reduce the clusters to one for every shoot position. This had the intended effect of allowing the remainder of the fruit to develop intense flavors.
The fruit was harvested on October 23. It was destemmed, crushed and placed into a closed top tank for three days of chilling. At that point it was inoculated with yeast. The wine fermented for 10 days at moderate temperatures and was left on the skins after fermentation for 16 days of extended maceration. This resulted in added richness and mouth feel, while preserving the intense aromatics that have characterized previous vintages. The wine was gently pressed just before Thanksgiving, settled in tank overnight and put to barrel, where it aged for nearly two years. All French oak was used - approximately 40% new.
Vintage: 2005
Vineyard: Brigden Vineyard
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 256 cases
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
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.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
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.
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.
