Winemaker Notes
The nose opens with layered aromas of ripe black cherry, dark plum, graphite, and violets, underscored by subtle notes of sweet tobacco and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is expansive and silky, revealing concentrated flavors of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate, balanced by refined tannins and a vibrant core of acidity. A hint of crushed rock and cedar lingers through the long, harmonious finish, capturing the essence of Oakville’s exceptional terroir.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A beautiful, luscious, easy-sipping red that goes deep in red and black fruit on a silky texture. Dark plums, black cherries, dark chocolate, cocoa and hints of red flowers, iron and graphite. Soft, resolved tannins and a lingering finish. Drink now or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Almost all Oakville with a splash of Wappo Hill, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is a smoking red that longtime Napa lovers will adore. Red and black fruits, spicy wood, flowers, and cedar nuances all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with a pure, layered, seamless profile that has tons to love.
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.