Winemaker Notes
This wine opens with layers of vanilla, spice cake, and ripe boysenberries. The medium weight mouthfeel is soft and elegant with delicate tannins that linger.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Bright and energetic, this wine offers potent dried purple florals nuanced by red-toned fruits, sandalwood, and sagebrush. On the palate, the character of the wine builds with tannic intensity balanced by a core of soft, juicy fruit redolent of cherry, plum, and dried strawberries. The presence of blood-orange and crisp cranberry layers in acidity builds freshness coupled with expressive graphite minerality. Still, at this early stage, the tannins and juicy fruit need more time to integrate. Best enjoyed from 2025. Founded in 1973, Conn Creek Winery is situated on the eastern side of Napa Valley, just off the Silverado Trail. Best known for its Bordeaux-styled wines, Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant has been winemaker since 2017. Previously, she worked at Beaulieu Vineyard, Tamber Bey, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.