2014 Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2014 Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2014 Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Warm vanilla, honeyed beeswax and plummy cherry compote deepen into a lovely tannin story at once firm and supple. A generous mouth with good activity and tension finishes with a lavender sappiness supported by a rich tactile element of ripe fruit and creamy oak.

90 Jeb Dunnuck: A step up, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville comes in a big, oversized bottle and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised in 45% new French oak. Plums, incense, cedar and spice all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, frontend loaded 2014 that has a charming, endearing style ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s foremost red wine-grape variety. Though widely cultivated throughout the world, it is most commonly associated with the red wines of Bordeaux. In the vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are small, thick-skinned and decidedly blue-colored, with a high pip-to-pulp ratio. Its thick skin results in wines of profoundly deep color, and the pips add a high level of tannin. It ripens late, which is advantageous in warmer climates like Bordeaux, France and California.

In colder growing environments, Cabernet Sauvignon can easily fail to ripen properly. Unripe Cabernet Sauvignon shows a lot of the aromas similar to unripe Cabernet Franc, notably a green or herbaceous character. This may not be entirely surprising, as Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents are Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavors can vary from region to another. Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Bordeaux’s Margaux appellation varies considerably from one grown farther north in Pauillac, for example. The best Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to have deep color, good structure and a full body. They are tannic in youth, especially when aged in oak, and often require a few years to soften before they become enjoyable to drink. Typical flavors may include black fruits like blackcurrant or blackberry, as well as fragrant cigar box, tobacco and coffee.