Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A brilliant wine from this renowned site, this youthful 2001 exhibits a dense purple color, classic notes of creme de cassis, cedar, licorice, camphor, graphite and a full-bodied, young, vigorous mouthfeel. Purity, texture and length are all present in this beauty, which is just becoming approachable at age ten. It should last another 12-15 years at minimum. Brilliant!
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Wine Enthusiast
Made from grapes grown in the Tokalon Vineyard, this Cab showcases both its terroir and the amazing vintage. It's dry, ripe in currants and cherries, lush in tannins yet expressive and forward. Very drinkable now, with good grip, a dry finish and plenty of elegance.
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Wine Spectator
A bold, rich and concentrated young wine, with a dense core of currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit. Sharply focused, supported by firm, ripe tannins. Notably svelte, finishing with a touch of mocha-laced oak.
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.