From a legendary vineyard that is owned and farmed by the University of California, Davis, this is a brilliant expression of Oakville terroir. Each of the three Bordeaux varietals brings their own unique character to this complex red wine blend. The Cabernet Franc expresses lively red fruit with a touch of herbs. The Cabernet Sauvignon adds weight, depth and lushness to the midpalate, and the Merlot wraps it all up with a layer of juicy ripe summer fruit flavor.
The Cabernet Sauvignon in this blend comes from two different blocks in the highly acclaimed UC Davis Oakville Station, in the heart of “Cabernet Country”. The North Station is adjacent to the illustrious To Kalon vineyard. The tiny block of Merlot and a small block of Cabernet Franc were planted on the west side of the valley at the base of the Mayacamas in the south station in 1990.
The wine offers bold, ripe fruit aromas with some spice and dried herb notes. Smooth and round on entry the Merlot in this blend offers a juicy fruit-focused core that balances the big flavors that we expect from Oakville Cabernet. Expressive yet nuanced, this wine delivers a full- bodied lush core with layers of spice, and a touch of earthiness.
"The tannic intensity of this wine is complemented by dense, dark layers of black cherry, currant and oak. Elongated, it shows well-integrated ripeness and a length of black pepper, sage and cedar. - Virginie Boone"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2020), 90 pts
"The 2016 Oakville Station Red Wine checks in as a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This plush, sexy wine is loaded with ripe blackcurrant and black raspberry fruit notes as well as spice, chocolate, licorice, and violets. These carry to a ripe, moderately concentrated, medium-bodied blend with sweet tannins, good balance, and plenty of length."
- Jeb Dunnuck (May 2020), 90 pts
Like a lot of grand adventures, the Cornerstone story starts with a conversation between friends over a glass of wine. The result was Cornerstone Cellars, and two decades later, they ...
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