Lot 500
2011 Napa Valley (Oakville) Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold Medal: 2013 Cabernet Shootout; An exceptional Cabernet from one of Napa's first 100-point producers.
$29
Dark black core with kiss of magenta at the rim. The youthful aromatics open up with dusty loam and blackberry fruit that give way to a very compelling and very pure blueberry essence. Hints of plum and rose petal shimmer in the background. The purity of expression at this stage is very exciting (the wine was bottled in late August 2013, so it’s just now emerging from bottle shock). Silky smooth, delivering highly polished textures across the palate, with bands of black currant and plum swirling about a densely packed mid-palate. Excellent length and depth, but the ultimate expression here is one of silky complexity, beautiful proportion, and balanced elegance. Classy juice.
Style: Full, Bold
Flavors: Blackberry, Currant, Plum
Cam Confidential
In the tradition of sourcing Lots 200, 300, and 400 from some of the finest producers in Napa, Lot 500 comes from one of the best vineyards Napa has to offer. Located in the heart of Oakville, this is a tremendous estate that holds the honor of producing one the first Napa Valley wines to be awarded 100 points, and continues to make some of the best Cabernet you can find anywhere. The vineyard was replanted in the late 90s, and has been producing 94 to 98-point Cabs in the $150/bottle range since the mid 2000s. Naturally, they are very protective about their appellation, and insisted on us selling the wine with only Napa Valley as the label designation.