Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
A complete cabernet at last! When I think of so many cabs that I have tasted and drunken that remind me of cough syrup in both flavors and sweetness, this one is such a welcome relief as it begins and ends like real wine that is meant to paired with food (e.g. the crisp finish).The 2013 Ghost Block Cabernet sings with the best of them. Medium to dark ruby color; active red currant aroma, with some black fruits, savory spices and sweet earth, excellent depth and penetration; medium to full bodied, highly structured; dry, medium acidity, well balanced; active red and black fruit flavors, some dark earth notes; medium to long finish, savory and youthful in the aftertaste. (Tasted: March 29, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From proprietor Andy Hoxsey, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate displays classic pure cassis and an opaque purple color, in a reserved but exuberant, concentrated, full-bodied style with low acidity and ripe, well-integrated, lush tannins. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.
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.