Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
A wine Biagi worked with from the start (he inherited the 2014 and only did the blend), the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema is a deeper, richer wine that offers impressive cassis, licorice, lead pencil shavings, and underbrush aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured and a clear step up over the 2014, drink it over the coming 5-8 years.
In 2005 after a decade of building their highly acclaimed flagship Napa Valley estate, Amici Cellars’ proprietors, John Harris and Bob Shepard, launched its sister brand, Olema, a distinct collection of wines that are focused on fruit and terroir, well-balanced in structure, excellent everyday wines.
The stand-alone brand is recognized for its portfolio of thoughtfully crafted, approachable wines. Under the direction of Amici Cellars’ skilled winemaking team, Olema has swiftly grown a fan following with wine critics and customers for its classic varietals and fresh new look.
At Olema the goal is to bring the best possible fruit to the cellar. The more the vines are in balance, the better the fruit, and the better the fruit, the easier it is to make great wine. From when the grapes arrive at the winery to when the wine is bottled, the Olema team ensures that its wines are both true to their classic varietal characteristics and growing regions.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.