The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate is a 2,550-case blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. It is aged 20 months in new French oak prior to bottling. This super effort comes across as a Napa version of top-flight Pauillac. Dense ruby/purple to the rim with a gorgeous nose of smoke, cedar, burning wood fires, and creme de cassis, this powerful, intensely rich, complex Cabernet reveals notions of chocolate, charcoal, and blackberry fruit. It should age effortlessly for up to 15 or more years.95 points from Robert Parker, The Wine AdvocateWinery Notes:The 2002 growing season began almost a week later than normal, but with a warm spring, was back on track by bloom in late May. Alternately cool, then hot weather during bloom resulted in a flowering period that promoted even ripening with slightly below average crop levels. Though weather during harvest was dry, cool spells interspersed with two brief heat spikes ultimately allowed for ideal flavor development in the grapes.BLEND 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 1% MalbecAGING 95% New French OakPRODUCTION 2200 Cases
