Winemaker Notes
The lead aromas of black currant, crushed minerals, black cherry and hints of rose hips are followed on the palate with flavors of black currant, soy, hints of roasted plums and beef blood. This will be the longest lived Avoyelles to date.
A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Even better, the 2017 Avoyelles Oakville Ranch checks in as a mostly co-fermented blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, all fermented and raised in new French oak. Stunning crème de cassis and black raspberry-like fruits give way to more toasted spice, dried flower, and cedar notes with time in the glass. Full-bodied and beautifully textured on the palate, it’s a wonderfully complex, balanced 2017 that does everything right. I’d be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar, and I suspect it will evolve gracefully for 20+ years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Oakville Ranch Avoyelles is blended of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Medium garnet-purple colored, it comes prancing out of the glass with pretty baked plums, kirsch and blackcurrant cordial scents plus wafts of rose hip tea, forest floor and truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by chewy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.