Oakville Vineyard
Oakville, which is located in the heart of Napa Valley, has the perfect climate and soils that are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, so this wine captures a pure expression of Cabernet from Napa’s well-known centrally located appellation. The majority of the blend comes from Gamble Ranch, tucked away just off Highway 29 and Silverado Trail, in the heart of Napa Valley’s Oakville District. Here the soils are rocky and concentrated with varied soil types. For the most part, you find alluvium derived from volcanic, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock, but there are some soils derived from volcanic parent material weathering in place. Although the ranch is primarily flat on the valley floor, the views are spectacular. It’s a historical location within the valley and is geographically situated near our Stags Leap estate.
Winemaking
This small bottling of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection of the most expressive lots from the Oakville appellation. This blend was fermented separately in French oak barrels(25% new) for 19 months and blended just before bottling. Custom-toasted, very low-impact barrels of new French oak were hand-selected, which supported the wine during maturation but did not impart excessive flavors. Keeping the lots separate throughout fermentation and aging allowed Christophe to monitor and evaluate each lot individually, coaxing each to its maximum potential and complexity.
2019 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes
Our 2019 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with dark berry aromas and flavors. Notes of blackberry, black cherry, and black currant are evident alongside baking spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. You’ll also find more rustic notes of wild chaparral sage, lavender, and thyme, all hints from the well-integrated oak aging and iconic terroir character. The structure is full and round, with velvety mouth-filling tannins, finishing long with incredible structure and balance. The wine is generous, concentrated, and complex, unfolding with layers of nuance and a bright core of acidity. A mouthwatering and pleasing Cabernet, sure to entice any Cabernet lover, that has the potential to age for many years to come.
Vintage
The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than in previous years, mostly due to February rains, but because the vines were in their winter dormancy, it did not affect the 2019 crop. Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.
Christophe Paubert - Winemaker
For Christophe Paubert, Winemaker and General Manager at Stags’ Leap Winery, the identity of a wine is found through the terroir. Christophe’s career has spanned the industry from sales to winemaking, and his impressive background includes positions at Chateau d’Yquem and Gruaud-Larose as well as projects in Chile, Spain and Washington State. But it was the terroir of Stags’ Leap that drew him to California.
2019 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Awards & Accolades
94 Points JamesSuckling.com
“Aromas of plum, earth and fresh mint. Full-bodied with velvety, slightly tight tannins. A solid core of red and black fruit with subtle spice character. Light-footed and pleasantly delicate.” - James Suckling, June 1, 2022
