Initial aromas of cola, cherry and cigar box segue to hints of chocolate toffee, dried currant and allspice. Firm and silky upon entry, the 2005 Oakville Cabernet shines with layered flavors of bright cherry, currant, dried blueberry and milk chocolate. Firm, chewy tannins grip the fruit and reveal a long, persistent finish accented by tobacco, sugar and toffee.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: Small quantities of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are included in the deep ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. It reveals more creme de cassis, licorice, and cedar notes, a fuller-bodied, richer mouthfeel, but neither the nuance or subtlety of the Stags Leap cuvee. Nevertheless, it is a seriously endowed.
Producer Information
Pine Ridge Vineyards is a Napa Valley wine producer, located in the Stags Leap District AVA (American Viticultural Area). The winery was established in 1978 by Gary Andrus, and focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards in Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Oakville, Carneros, and Howell Mountain.The estate’s holdings stretch across 200 acres (80 hectares) of land, with the first vineyard planted on a steeply terraced site in Stags Leap. This original vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, as are many of the subsequently acquired vineyard sites. The only exception is the cooler Carneros vineyard, which is planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.The flagship wine of the portfolio is the Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of the best blocks of each vineyard site in every appellation.
