2017 Mending Wall Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Mending Wall Winery is an artisanal winemaking venture based on the poetry of wine and named for some poetry by Robert Frost. Mending Wall, one of Frost’s most famous poems, is about two neighbors who meet once year to repair the wall that separates their property. The proprietors of Mending Wall winery say that their winemaking philosophy is “about coming together to explore and question the established boundaries in winemaking.” And they have the team to do it. Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa’s star winemakers, is winemaker and one of the proprietors. The other proprietors are Kathy and Frank Dotzler, owners of Outpost Winery, and Mark Pulido and Donna Walker, who founded a Napa Valley winery they named after themselves. Mending Wall is on the famed Silverado Trail and produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and a white blend. The debut vintage was the 2013. The wines are generally available only through the estate mailing list.

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.