90 Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Small quantities of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are included in the deep ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. It reveals more creme de cassis, licorice, and cedar notes, a fuller-bodied, richer mouthfeel, but neither the nuance or subtlety of the Stags Leap cuvee. Nevertheless, it is a seriously endowed, well-made Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy over the next 15+ years."

"Winemaker Stacy Clark continues to dramatically improve the wines of Pine Ridge, as evidenced by this trio of enticing, authoritative examples of elegant, Bordeaux-styled, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons." -90 points Robert Parker

APPELLATION
"Home to some of Napa Valley's premier vineyards, the Oakville appellation is best known for its world-famous Cabernet Sauvignon. Balance, good fruit integration and flavors of bright cherry and red berry fruit are hallmarks of wines produced in this appellation. The Oakville AVA spans the eastern Vaca Range to the Mayacamas Mountains to the west. Grapes grown in the warmer and mid-valley temperatures of this appellation, with its gravelly soils combined with clay (the result of old Napa River fans), yield wines of great balance and structure."

WINEMAKING
"The grapes were harvested throughout the month of October, 2005. The juice was pumped over traditionally and macerated on the skins for up to 31 days before being pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling in April 2007."

WINE
"The 2005 Oakville Cabernet is incredibly aromatic, with layers of red cherry, fresh and baked berries, dark chocolate and spice accented by hints of minerality, vanilla, toffee, wintergreen mint and tobacco. Firm and silky upon entry, the palate is equally intense, with rich, round flavors of sweet cherry, currant, tobacco and baking spices. Supple, chewy tannins support a long, persistent finish with dark berries, minerality, toasty oak, and toffee notes. This wine may be enjoyed now or cellared for 10 years or more." -Winery

This scored a median of 90 points on Cellar Tracker in 20 different notes. See the reviews here: http://www.cellartracker.com//wine.asp?iWine=503822. This wine scored 84 points by the Wine Enthusiast and 83 points by the Wine Spectator.