The Taste of Oakville!
April 29, 2010
The best trade tasting each April (some would say each year) is the Oakville Growers’ Taste of Oakville event. Since little beyond Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in Oakville and since some of the greatest Cabernet vineyards on the planet are located there, it is not surprising that the tasting is long anticipated, and it can be an especially rewarding tasting during a period of 5 straight great vintages, like 2004-2008.
At Monday’s event, the supply of good juice was plentiful, even if quantities of some bottlings were limited. What follows is a list of what has been, or is being released. The tasting was about a 50/50 mix of the very fine 2006s and the possibly finer 2007s. Our release prices are included (these do not reflect cases discounts), but in some cases the quantity available is tiny, so it’s best to snap-up your favorites while you can!
Recent releases still available and May 1st offerings!
2006 Tamber Bey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon – available @ $64.95 Long sweet-natured & delicious already, tons of Cassis & blueberry.
2007 Stanton Cabernet Sauvignon @ $74.95 In the typical Stanton mode: soft-edged & full of dark berry & mocha.
2006 Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon @ $49.95 Firm and gripping, in the classic mode.
2006 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon @ $61.95 Sweet cherry & plum flavors, like the lovely 1999.
2007 Plump Jack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon @ $77.95 Lots of Cassis & berry, vanilla & toast, more gutsy than elegant.
2007 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville @ $64.95 Red berries and vanilla, in the classic mold.
2007 Hoopes Cabernet Sauvignon @ $66.95 Their best yet and a vintage star, with focused cherry and red currant in layers.
2007 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon @ $59.95 Even bigger, if not as elegant as the 2006: an ager.
2007 Oakville Winery Cabernet Sauvignon @ $50.95 Sweet cherry fruit, herbal spice, pretty oak and an elegant style.
2006 Tierra Roja Cabernet Sauvignon – 5 on shelf & more available @ $114.95 Rounding into classic form, with years ahead.
2006 Rudd Estate Cabernet Blend @ $125.95 Extremely tight and powerful, years away.
2007 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon @ $2495.95 Lafite-like elegance & great focus and flavor, if at a rarified price.
2006 Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon @ $795.95 Tight and muscular & years away.
Unreleased, but worth watching out for:
2007 Liparita Cabernet Sauvignon – August release Even more delicious and forthcoming than the 2006.
2007 Tierra Roja Cabernet Sauvignon – September release Classic for the cellar.
2007 Tamber Bey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon – September release A slightly juicier clone of the 2006.
2007 Nickel & Nickel Sullinger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – August release Best Sullinger in recent years.
2007 Nickel & Nickel Rock Cairn Vineyard (AKA Ghost Block) Cabernet Sauvignon – August release Our favorite N & N ’07, a wine with great purity of fruit.
2007 Oakville East Exposure Cabernet Sauvignon – Fall release A style change toward elegance and greater focus.
Exciting New Kids on the Block:
2007 Oakville Terraces Cabernet Sauvignon – available soon Full of berries and dried herbs.
2007 Maybeck Cabernet Sauvignon – Deep, rich and classy, but restaurant distribution only.
2007 Giannone Cabernet Sauvignon – September release Winemaker Karen Culler’s new project, with plenty of class and richness.
2007 Kristine Ashe Cabernet Sauvignon – September release Hot new project, with a fine Sauvignon Blanc as well
As you can see, Oakville Cab can be a tasty subject!
Posted in Uncategorized