94 points - BTI 2013 Gold Medal Winner
Today we are lucky enough to have secured a small allocation of the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard in the Oak Knoll District. Oak Knoll is one of the premier sub-regions within the Napa Valley, with its proximity to San Pablo Bay leading to a cooler growing season and more elegant wines. While Cabernet does well in the warmer regions to the north in Napa, the Oak Knoll region presents a more elegant, refined Cabernet, with stunning depth.
This wine was made from grapes grown on a single vineyard in the southeast section of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The combination of warm days with cooler evenings at this end of the valley creates grapes that ripen fully but also maintain a nice balanced acidity. These grapes were picked on October 24, 2009. The maceration time was 16 days on the skins before pressing. The wine was barrel aged for 27 months in small oak barrels. The oak was 2/3 French and 1/3 American to promote some diversity in the flavors and aromas being contributed from the oak.
The 2009 Maroon Oak Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon is dark garnet in color, with a ruby core. Aromas of black cherry, currant, baking spice and cranberry lead the way on the nose, revealing intriguing flavors of black currant, blueberry, dark chocolate, black cherry and espresso on the palate. The finish shows a lovely combination of fresh fruit and chewy tannin, along with hints of coffee and spice. Though rare, you may occasionally see a Napa Valley Cabernet (probably from Pope Valley) for under $30, but the chances of finding a single vineyard Napa Cab from the Oak Knoll AVA for this price is essentially zero. Don’t let this one pass you by!
Vintage: 2009
Appellation: 100% Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Napa Valley
Acid: 0.66 g/100ml
pH: 3.80
Alcohol%: 13.8%
Production: 500 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.
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