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Oakville Wine
Overview
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This much famed district, put on the map almost single-handedly by Robert Mondavi in the 1960s, is home to some of Napa Valley’s most well known vineyards.
To-Kalon, largely owned by Mondavi, is the source of his famously consistent Fume Blanc, and Martha's Vineyard, which supplies grapes to Heitz Winery is synonymous with artisan winery quality. These, and many other of Napa’s storied winemakers have capitalized on the fact that the climate is slightly fresher in Oakville than farther north, so white grapes, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, can consistently give excellent results.
But like most of the rest of Napa, Cabernet still reigns supreme in the imaginations of Oakville winemakers. The west side of the valley, the southern end of the undefined “bench” has certainly proven itself one of the premier Cabernet sites in the world. Deep soils washed out of the mountains, composed of large particles which drain readily, provide a natural balancing mechanism between vine growth, crop size, and grape ripening. In other districts growers need a great deal of expertise to produce high quality fruit. On the Oakville Bench, all one needs is the price of admission. The difference between Cabernets grown on the Oakville Bench and those grown on its contiguous twin to the north, the Rutherford Bench, are very subtle. While both are round and concentrated, Oakville will produce a slightly fruitier, more refreshing midpoint; Rutherford the more powerful, more earthy center with a slightly dusty finish.
Cabernet might rule, but it does have challengers. As demonstrated so deftly by Robert Mondavi, Sauvignon Blanc is perhaps the better choice from Oakville, if only because it produces a nicely balanced centrist style composed of flinty flavors rather than the herbal or melon notes of more extreme climates. Robert Pepi and Jack Cakebread also have estate plantings of Sauvignon Blanc behind two of the finest examples of that varietal wine in the valley. The Chardonnays have been known to perform extraordinarily well, although they have been susceptible to criticism for their blowsy, Californicated style which gets judges' attention in blind tastings but overwhelms many dishes at the dinner table.
Buying Guide: Ten Luxury Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons
Buying Guide: Top Oakville Reds (other than Cabernet Sauvignon)
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On the Market: Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon93 Gargiulo Aprile Red Blend Oakville $40
96 Goldschmidt Game Ranch Single Vineyard Selection Oakville $65 96 Screaming Eagle Red Wine Cabernet Blend Oakville $500
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