2014 Oakville Winegrowers Oakville Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5ltr

Oakville Winegrowers is exactly what its name suggests. It is the professional organization for wine producers and growers in the prestigious Oakville Appellation, which is home to a remarkable number of Napa Valley’s most acclaimed estates and terroirs. A full list of Oakville Winegrowers Association is lengthy, but the members include Screaming Eagle, Opus One, Robert Mondavi Winery, Peter Michael Winery, Bond, Far Niente, Dalla Valle Vineyards, Groth Vineyards, Harlan Estate and Futo Wines, among many other highly regarded vintners and growers. The Oakville AVA was officially designated in 1993 and in 1996 the Oakville Winegrowers Association was formed and held its first Taste of Oakville, an annual tasting for members of the wine trade. In 2005, the group began producing a special Cuvée, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon that would represent all of Oakville. The members each donate five gallons of their best wine, and acclaimed Oakville winemakers make their selections and craft the blend. The Cuvée then spends about 24 months in primarily new French oak before it is bottled. The exact source blend of each vintage is not revealed. The Oakville Cuvée is a truly unique Cabernet Sauvignon made in very limited quantities. Only 100 magnums and 50 double magnums are produced each vintage. The bottles are etched and numbered. There is no other wine that equally represents the camaraderie and quality of one of the best appellations in the world for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oakville AVA is one of the two or three most prestigious appellations in the United States. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, its 5,000 vineyard acres produce some of the world’s most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, including such California “cult” Cabs as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate. Before those boutique producers rose to fame in the 1990s, Oakville was already renowned as home to Robert Mondavi, Opus One and Groth Vineyards, among others. Along with the famous wineries, there are premier vineyards in this AVA, including Martha’s Vineyard and To Kalon Vineyard. To Kalon was first planted in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, one of California’s first viticultural researchers, and he named the vineyard after the ancient Greek phrase for “most beautiful.” Though many grapes can be successfully grown in Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. Merlot and Chardonnay are also frequently planted. Oakville Cabs are prized for their richness, complexity and weight. Oakville was designated as an AVA in 1993.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.