Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Vibrant and intense, with a very pure kirsch and cassis core driving through, laced with graphite, apple wood and violet notes, all of which is kept grounded in turn by a terrific loamy note underneath. There's a final flourish of fruit at the very end. Pretty gorgeous. Best from 2022 through 2040.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (only 49 barrels produced) gives up impressive blue fruits (cassis, blueberries) to go with medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and classic notes of lead pencil and tobacco. It's another balanced, impeccably made wine from this team that's well worth seeking out. It's up with some of the top values in the vintage.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Turnbull Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon comes fully charged with rich and luxurious rewards on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings ripe, black fruit and oaky nuances to the fore. Enjoy it with grilled pork kebabs. (Tasted: June 1, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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Decanter
This barrel selection is a slightly more herbal, fragrant take on Oakville, showing aromas of spearmint, nettle and anise. Classically black-and-blue on the palate, with a delicacy and clarity to its fine, clean tannin structure.
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.