2018 Oakville, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

Oakville’s terroir, or more easily understood as the combination of climate, plant and soil, is undeniably the best in not only Napa Valley, but the best in all North America for the expression in the Bordeaux varieties raised there.  At the north border of Oakville sits our chosen site, the Renteria 360 Vineyard, both owned and operated by the talented vineyard manager, Oscar Renteria.  It is a gravel and loam soil type on the Valley floor, that while well drained, requires very little water allowing it to follow nature’s lead quite well.  The vineyard was planted in the early 2000’s and today is producing wines that are truly world class.  Brands sharing in the spoils from 360 include Chappellet, Sojurn, B Cellars, Frank Family, Venge and Darioush to name a few.

WINEMAKER’S REVIEW

“This wine begins like the eye of a black storm.  The ink blot hues run from center to edge where wine touches the glass.  The nose is a heady concoction of deep black, cherry, cassis, touches of cooking herbs, cold steel and graphite.  The palate is explosive with fine acidity greeting the first taste and a massive center of black berries and more cherries.  With time to stand in the glass the evolution with air evokes further red fruits and briar pushing up through the nose and condenses the palate to an elixir like tongue swirl feel persisting past 30 seconds.  I believe cellared correctly this wine will evolve to 2036 and beyond.   50 cases produced, 22 months aging in 100% new Taransaud French Oak, bottled unfiltered and unfined.”