1990 Oakford Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Oakford Cellars is a tiny Cabernet Sauvignon producer with an 8-acre vineyard strategically located above the Oakville Grade near the Harlan Estate Vineyard and Heitz's Martha's Vineyard. Proprietor Charles Ball first produced a wine in 1987. In 1994 he hired the immensely fashionable, in demand Heidi Barrett, to assist in the wine-making. The wine is aged in 50% French oak casks and 50% American oak casks (one-third of each type is new) for 18-20 months and is bottled with minor clarification. These are tannic, large-scaled, dense, mountain Cabernet Sauvignons that are not flattering in their youth, but possesses considerable promise and aging potential. This is another winery where readers are advised to get on the mailing list if they want an opportunity to purchase the wines as only 1000 cases are produced. The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favorites. (Was that because it has several years of bottle age, or is it a richer wine?) It is full-bodied, pure, and of the four most recent vintages, the most easy to drink. It is loaded with layers of creamy-textured black fruit, buttressed by noticeable tannin in the finish. All of these wines are impressive, youthful, ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignons that merit serious consideration. Tel. (707) 944-1733; Fax (707) 944-9603