2004 Oakville Ranch Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Codename: Ultimate “Expressivity”

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Investigate reports that Oakville Ranch has an incredible Cabernet Sauvignon. If accurate, infiltrate the winery and procure bottles for our thirsty Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Oakville Ranch Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Ashley Heisey

Backgrounder: Napa Valley is revered worldwide as the ultimate area in which to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2004 vintage, in particular, has produced the best examples on record. Top producers include Silver Oak, Phelps, Opus One and Groth, all of whom are close neighbors to Oakville Ranch Vineyards. Today we send Agent Red to investigate reports of an amazing ‘04 Cab from Oakville Ranch. Read his tasting notes below – and find out that this wine may be even better than the $100 Cabs from neighboring wineries.

Tasting Notes:

Look – Dark ruby in color with a great clarity through its darker heart and glistening pink-purple edges. The legs on this wine are thick and slow indicative of a fuller-bodied wine

Smell – Large intensity of nose with layers of red fruit, oak and floral and smoky rose petals. As this wine opens up a distinct aroma of raspberry and cherry emerge

Feel – Round and wet at the very tip of the tongue, but as the wine moves across your palate, a velvety dryness appears. Overall, the wine is smooth and full-bodied with solid tannic structure that doesn’t overpower the layered flavors

Taste – Solid and rich (but not overpowering) flavors of cherry, blackberry, raspberry and cassis, with hints of sweet oak and mild black pepper. As this wine opens up, subtlest hints natural cherry cola emerge (there is nothing artificial about this wine)

Finish – A fantastic long and smooth finish with its component flavors slowly fading

Conclusion – This is an amazing and incredible Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that absolutely belongs on your personal wine list. This is an elegant and refined wine with incredible flavor and structure. The layer upon layer of aromas and flavors excite and invite you to sip and swirl and ponder this wine as you enjoy glass after glass… Can you tell that I love this wine? Well, then click that big blue button and get yourself some before we run out.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Oakville Ranch Vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.