Winemaker Notes
A grape variety ideally suited for Oakville, the Samantha's Cabernet Sauvignon is a selection of Rudd Oakville Estate blocks that yield grapes of depth and character that craft a wine inviting drinkability and conviviality. An expression of how a world-class grape variety can perform when diligently farmed in one of the best parts of Oakville.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Samantha's is made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 21 months in 86% new French oak. This is a vineyard selection blend usually harvested slightly later. Very deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with vibrant cassis, blackberry pie and preserved plums scents with nuances of mocha, pencil shavings, menthol, lilacs and cloves plus a touch of chargrilled meat. The medium to full-bodied palate is super intense with layer upon layer of black fruits, savory and floral notions and a rock-solid foundation of grainy tannins, finishing very long and very minerally.
Rating: 97+ -
Wine Spectator
Ripe and fleshy, with a well-built core of steeped black currant, plum and blackberry fruit held together by light bramble, singed apple wood and sweet tobacco threads. The finish features a brambly edge that harnesses the fruit nicely.
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.