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
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.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
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.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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