2012 Sojourn Cellars Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma was founded in 2001 when Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley decided to produce small quantities of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bradley was an assistant winemaker at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery and is the head winemaker at Sojourn. The estate sources grapes from the Sonoma Coast and Rutherford, in Napa Valley. Sojourn’s Pinot Noirs have earned praise from wine reviewers, including Robert M. Parker Jr., who has often rated the wines in the low 90s. Sojourn also produces Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from the legendary Beckstoffer Vineyard. Wines are made in limited amounts of a few hundred cases.

Oakville AVA is one of the two or three most prestigious appellations in the United States. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, its 5,000 vineyard acres produce some of the world’s most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, including such California “cult” Cabs as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate. Before those boutique producers rose to fame in the 1990s, Oakville was already renowned as home to Robert Mondavi, Opus One and Groth Vineyards, among others. Along with the famous wineries, there are premier vineyards in this AVA, including Martha’s Vineyard and To Kalon Vineyard. To Kalon was first planted in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, one of California’s first viticultural researchers, and he named the vineyard after the ancient Greek phrase for “most beautiful.” Though many grapes can be successfully grown in Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. Merlot and Chardonnay are also frequently planted. Oakville Cabs are prized for their richness, complexity and weight. Oakville was designated as an AVA in 1993.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.