Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
From one of the top sites in the valley and all Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard isn't far off the Calixtro cuvée, yet it's more forward and opulent, with savory red and black fruits, notes of iron, dusty earth, leather, and baking spice, full-bodied richness and depth, and ripe yet building, substantial tannins. It offers some up-front charm today, but it’s going to reward 3-4 years of bottle age and should evolve for 25-30 years. This is another serious, age-worthy, incredible wine from Bevan that readers will absolutely love.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
For readers who may not yet know Tench, the site is located along the Silverado Trail in eastern Oakville. One of the stars of the Bevan lineup, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard boasts seductive aromas of ripe cherries and loamy earth. It's full-bodied and rich, with a long, velvety-textured finish that combines savory and fruity in a compelling, complex package.
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.