Winemaker Notes
The alluring 2017 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon immediately draws you in with fruit aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry. Savory spice aromas of sage, clove, and nutmeg compliment the fruit and bring depth and complexity. These flavors carry over to the palate, which has a rich, creamy texture balanced by a crisp, fresh acid. The tannin is bold yet seamless and silky, while the persistent finish gives the impression of blackberries dusted with baker’s chocolate.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from this great estate checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot. Its deep, saturated purple color is followed by a beautiful bouquet of blueberries, red plums, toasted spices, incense, and pen ink. This is a big, rich, pedal-to-the-metal beauty that stays remarkably well-balanced, has notable freshness and purity, and sweet tannins, which can be hard to find in the 2017 vintage. It’s an undeniable success.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is deep garnet-purple colored with intense black currant cordial, sautéed herbs and plum preserves with hints of underbrush, dried bay leaves, tilled soil, chargrill and truffles. Full-bodied, rich and with a plush texture, it has a lovely herbal note lifting the palate and finish.
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.