The gem in the 2016s is undeniably the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, which is all Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oakville Ranch vineyard located just above Dalla Valle. This monumental beauty boasts a deep inky color, a huge nose of crème de cassis, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, and obvious rocky minerality, full-bodied richness, and tannins and structure galore. It’s going to be a candidate for perfection in 5-7 years and will see its 30th birthday in fine form. It’s a brilliant, brilliant wine.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville comes from Oakville Ranch, perched just below Ovid on Pritchard hill and above Dalla Valle. Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a very deep purple-black color and comes charging out of the glass with vivacious blackberries, blueberry compote and cassis scents with hints of violets, oolong tea, cigar box and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, the power of this wine comes purely from intensity, with rock-solid, wonderfully ripe tannins and fantastic freshness to support and lift the very long, perfumed finish. 327 cases produced.