Winemaker Notes
Deep and inviting in color, this vintage is alluring in richness and complexity. The nose is greeted with a symphony of dark fruit aromatics, black cherries, and sweet summer plums, accompanied by subtle notes of purple flowers adding an elegant touch. A captivating blend of coffee and warm spices emerge, intertwining with the fruit to create an enticing aromatic expertise. On the palate, the wine unfolds with dynamic layers. The entry of cassis and boysenberries take center stage, offering a burst of rich and luscious fruit. A savory depth to the wine reveals itself, characterized by an iron undertone adding a distinctive complexity which can only come from East Oakville. As the palate unfolds, the mid-palate reveals a surprising fresh plushness and fleshy texture, providing a harmonious balance to the overall structure. Finally, the tannins make a bold statement with lively intensity and grip as the wine builds towards the finish. The persistent energy and nuanced flavors linger, leaving a lasting impression, and show the promising aging potential of this unforgettable wine.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A splendid Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon crafted by Rudd winemaker Natalie Bath. Harvested between 5 September and 15 September, aged 22 months, in 43% new French oak. Alluring red currants, dried florals, and dusty minerals. Restrained at first, and very compact with fine-grained tannins that build along with rich boysenberry fruit flavours, which reach a crescendo after a good amount of air teases them out and reveals nuances of liquorice and herbs. A firm backbone of good acidity makes for a sleeper wine
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James Suckling
Aromas of minerals and mint with hints of bark and lavender follow through to a medium to full body with firm and fine chewy tannins. Fresh at the end. Structured. Needs time to soften. Try after 2026.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a core of warmed black currant preserves and steeped plum wrapped liberally in loam, tobacco and wet earth notes, which keep the upper hand over the fruit through the finish. Drink now through 2034.
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.