2015 Keplinger Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Keplinger, based in Napa Valley, was founded in 2006 by winemaker Helen Keplinger and her husband Douglas Warner, and it has become one of the rising stars among wineries established by a new generation of youthful, innovative winemakers. Keplinger herself has been featured in cover stories in wine journals including Wine Spectator. Keplinger fell in love with Grenache during a sojourn working in a Priorat, Spain, and at her new winemaking enterprise she focuses on Grenache-based and other Rhone-style blends. Keplinger earned a graduate degree in enology at UC Davis and worked in Australia and several regions of California before starting her own venture. She sources grapes from the Sierra Foothills and elsewhere. Along with Grenache, she blends Mourvedre, Syrah, Viognier, and starting in 2012 has made a white blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Wine writer James Laube has noted that “in embracing a handful of Rhone Valley grapes, especially Grenache, Keplinger has created captivating and uniquely styled wines that are stretching the boundaries of what has been a Syrah-centric arena among California vintners.”

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.