2019 Macauley Oakville Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

WE98 A tremendous bottle from an important mountain site on the eastern edge of the appellation, this shows incredible structure and intensity, with underlying hints of dried herb, sage and toasted oak. The fruit flavors dip into baked plum and blueberry compote, rich and lush yet complex and lengthy. It finishes in iron and flint. Enjoy best 2029–2039.
JD95+ The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Ranch is a more lifted and perfumed, with darker red and black fruits, flowery incense, violets, and a hint of iron. Medium to full-bodied, structured, and concentrated, it needed a solid day of to show at its best (I followed this bottle for multiple days), so do your best to hide bottles in the cellar for 3-4 years. It should have two decades of longevity.
DEC95 From the famous Oakville Ranch on a hilly plateau above Dalla Valle, and organically farmed by Phil Coturri. Harvested from three different sections of the vineyard. Fabulously plush and heady, with beautiful layers of ripe, sweet red and black-toned fruits and perfumed violets. Medium to full-bodied, built on ultrafine-grained tannins and powdery graphite minerality, finishing with mocha and tobacco notes. Owner Macauley (Mac) Watson worked at Rudd Estate for a few years before venturing out on his own in the early 2000s. He owns no vineyards but has long-term contracts with 14-16 different vineyards, among the absolute best in Napa. Total production is never more than 2,600 cases. The winemaker is Kirk Venge. Every wine in the Macauley portfolio is worth seeking out.