Napa Valley Cabernet: Best Oakville 2018 wines
Wines from the Oakville AVA scored highly in the Napa Valley Cabernet 2018 vintage report but many will make credit cards recoil, reports Matthew Luczy. We round up the top-scoring wines...
Home to more posh addresses than perhaps any other sub-AVA, Oakville has become an epicenter of the modern, luxe Napa Cabernet.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Oakville 2018 wines
Situated directly in the centre of the valley, it is far enough south to access the moderation of San Pablo Bay, and also bask in afternoon sun once the fog has evaporated.
There is considerable east-to-west diversity, prompting industry hypotheticals of AVA subdivision.
Wines tend to be more ripe and lush in the western section where the soils are sedimentary. The eastern portion exudes a more taut, high-toned minerality from its red volcanic soils.
Dalla Valle winemaker Andy Erickson describes 2018 as ‘classic Napa Valley: big flavours, very aromatic, and even though there is volume, there is really great balance.
‘It’s one of those vintages where most people made really good wines. It’s kind of a no-brainer. Usually the most uneventful vintages produce the best wines.’
Napa Valley Cabernet: Full 2018 vintage report
Speaking of the eastern section where Dalla Valle sits, Erickson notes, ‘The east side is where you have decomposing, iron-rich volcanic soils that come down off Pritchard Hill. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc just really love that condition. Well-drained but still plenty of clay in the soils. The vineyards cruise through the season.’
Quick links
Individual AVA analysis and top-scoring wines coming soon:
Calistoga, Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Rutherford, St Helena Stags Leap District
Many classic showings of Oakville will make credit cards recoil, this being home to Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle, Opus One and MacDonald.
Turnbull’s Black Label and Groth’s Reserve are solid examples.
Heitz’s Martha’s Vineyard is the ultimate showing from a quality-price-ratio perspective.
See the top-scoring Oakville 2018 wines
See also
Decanter Premium Collector’s Guide: Napa Valley Heitz Cellar: Producer profilePromontory: Harlan’s rugged Napa territoryCalifornia Cabernet 2016: Panel tasting results
Dalla Valle Vineyards, Maya, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A wonderfully fragranced and well-structured wine. Perfumed florality comes through from the 40% Cabernet Franc in the blend (with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon) alongside ripe...
2018
Dalla Valle VineyardsNapa Valley
Dalla Valle Vineyards, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A luscious, ripe but tucked-in expression of eastern Oakville Cabernet from Andy Erickson. The nose is voluptuous and chock full of ripe red and purple...
2018
Dalla Valle VineyardsNapa Valley
Turnbull, Black Label, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A selection of the best barrels of both the Fortuna and Leopoldinda sites. A blend is not always greater than the sum of its parts,...
2018
TurnbullNapa Valley
Turnbull, Fortuna Vineyard, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
Fortuna is a classic Oakville vineyard that dates back to pre-Prohibition days. The current vines date back to 1987. A quintessential Oakville nose of concentrated...
2018
TurnbullNapa Valley
Gallica, Oakville Ranch Vineyard, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A composed, balanced nose shows off just enough ripeness and judicious use of new oak. The palate is alluring and ghostly, combining silky precision with...
2018
GallicaNapa Valley
Groth, Reserve, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
Reserved on the nose at first, but unsurprisingly gives off a more broad, black, charred character than the entry Cabernet. Luscious on the palate, retracting...
2018
GrothNapa Valley
Nemerever, Estate, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
Sourced from three adjacent estate blocks in the heart of Oakville. Dusty, perfumed, old world-influenced aromas of turned earth, fresh thyme and dried flowers. The...
2018
NemereverNapa Valley
Tamber Bey, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A unique, meaty and savoury profile on the nose. The richness of Oakville is present, but in an admirably restrained manner, and the tannins are...
2018
Tamber BeyNapa Valley
Turnbull, Leopoldina Vineyard, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2018
A site on the Oakville bench with vines dating to 1993. A more perfumed and herbal nose compared to Fortuna at this stage. The mid-palate...
2018
TurnbullNapa Valley
