Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep ruby color and a layered aromatic profile of salted caramel, dark mixed berries, graham cracker, menthol, bittersweet chocolate, cedar, dates, and blueberry. On the palate, tart cherry, light roast coffee, brown sugar, nutmeg, blackberry, structured dusty tannins, tiramisu, cocoa powder, and crushed peppers unfold into a rich, long, and elegant finish. Each lot was hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, with extended fermentation and barrel aging enhancing complexity and structure.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A selection of the best lots from the winery's Oakville estate, aged in 100% new oak, Groth's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve looks to be even better than the terrific 2021. Black cherries and loamy earth are cosseted amidst loads of almost buttery new oak, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is plush and expansive without going over the top. Long and velvety on the finish, this is a strong effort that should provide plenty of pleasure over the next couple decades.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship release from this historic estate, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is based on 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot and aged in 100% new oak. Deep purple-hued, it's a clear standout of the 2022s and a brilliant wine offering cassis, graphite, spicy wood, and violets, with a kiss of that classic incense/orange blossom character common in the vintage. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, concentrated, has sound structure, and a great finish. It's going to evolve for 15 years in cold cellars and is a clear success in this challenging vintage. Hats off to the team here. Drink 2025-2040.
-
James Suckling
Savory, earth-driven aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, black olives, tobacco leaves and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and a textural, refined mouthfeel. Not bold or ripe but classic in style. Drinking well now but will age nicely. Drink or hold.
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.