Winemaker Notes
The nose is all about cranberry, fresh red bramble fruit and raspberry gelée, with secondary
notes of cigar box, raspberry pie, red licorice, and wet forest floor. The palate is lush with bright, juicy Bing cherry and crushed fresh raspberries, tamed by a pain au chocolat finish.
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship here and all from Oakville Ranch Vineyard, the 2023 Avoyelles Oakville comes from a co-ferment of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that was aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by killer aromatics of currants, darker berries, chocolate, violets, and graphite, and it's deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, with velvety building tannins and incredible length. It's sensational in every way.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Avoyelles Oakville Ranch is a terrific effort. Extravagant florals join with dark plum notes on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is round, expansive, creamy and supple, then firm and long on the finish.
Range: 95-97 -
Vinous
The 2023 Avoyelles is a cofermented blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Oakville Ranch. Deep and quite potent, the 2023 packs a very serious punch. Black fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, lavender and chocolate stain the palate. Red-toned Franc notes carry through the expressive mid-palate and finish. Give this a few years to settle down.
Rating: 96+
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.