Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (also finished with a screw cap) was aged in 70% new French oak with fermentation in barrel. I think the Reserve is a selection of the finest lots once the wine finishes malolactic. The color is a saturated ruby/purple. The nose seems slightly more reserved and less forthcoming than the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, but there is a brooding, formidable richness underlying the surface. With massive concentration without heaviness, extraordinary delineation and vibrancy without any fatigue, this is a tour de force in Cabernet Sauvignon as well as continued confirmation of the extraordinary Oakville Corridor and the old Villa Mt. Eden site. This amazing Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting at the seams with a 50+ second finish. It should continue to age well despite its accessibility for another two decades. This is another example of a 2003 that is performing far superior to what I would have thought coming into this tasting.
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.