Winemaker Notes
After grapes were gently destemmed and crushed, we fermented the must with a combination of native (wild) and cultured yeast for layers of complexity. To naturally soften the grape tannins and develop varietal complexity, we gave the wine 37 days of skin contact. A long malolactic fermentation conducted entirely in barrels enhanced the wine's depth and body. During 17 months in small French oak barrels (45% new oak), the wine was racked barrel-to-barrel several times and lightly fined with fresh egg whites. Between rackings, the wine was left undisturbed for optimal clarity. These gentle winemaking techniques allowed us to bottle this Cabernet Sauvignon without filtration to fully retain its complex flavors and long aging potential. This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec.
Great with Rack of Lamb, Beef Tenderloin, and Grilled Flank Steak.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Darker and riper than Mondavi’s Napa Cabernet, with the blackberries veering into currants, and newer, smokier tasting oak. Quite dramatic, in the tension of its fruit, oak, acids and tannins. Young and flashy, and will easily age through 2015.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Readers looking for power and muscle should check out the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, sweet chocolate, and Asian spices. There is impressive fruit on the attack, good breadth, and plenty of muscle and tannin. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15-16.
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.