Winemaker Notes
Bursting with black cherries, rhubarb pie, and huckleberry preserves the nose on this stunning Cabernet is laced with black licorice and cinnamon notes that add a subtle and exotic feeling to the luxurious pure fruit aromas. The palate is dense and chewy with layers of unctuous defined fruits, the comforting presence of perfectly ripe tannin finishes with a touch of fine sweet cedar and black tea notes before a 30 second+ finish. This wine is well put together and showcases the playful yet powerful nature of top Oakville terroirs. Will drink well on release and improve from 5 years or more in the cellar.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of fresh herbs and bark with some green moss and redcurrants follow through to a medium to full body with creamy and very pretty, round tannins. Lovely flavors at the end. It’s intense and delicious already, but will soften with age. Barrel selection of Tierra Roja. Made only this year. Try after 2022.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the reds, the appellation 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville shows the rich, concentrated style of all these 2018s from Tor. Loads of pure crème de cassis, blackberries, licorice, tobacco, and loamy soil emerge from this full-bodied, rounded, mouth-filling beauty, which has ample mid-palate depth, velvety tannins, and big finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (coming entirely from the Tierra Roja vineyard this year) opens with bright, vibrant notes of plum preserves, Morello cherries and warm cassis with nuances of bay leaves, new leather, tar and mossy tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with juicy black and red berry flavors and supported by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fruity.
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.