Lot 516
2022 Oak Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon

$75/bottle under the original label

Lot 516 is a 100% estate-grown gem from a pioneering family whose historic winery and globally acclaimed releases have been a pillar of Napa Valley for generations. Their farming techniques are best in class, and have a reputation for fanatical attention to detail at a level most producers could only dream of achieving. Naturally, their Cabernets are a critical darling – it’s practically a formality to see 90-97 point scores awarded by the major names every year. Taking a low-intervention approach to ensure the terroir shines through, the expert winemakers aged this beauty in ~50% new oak for 18 months, where it blossomed into a tremendously refined Cabernet.

A harmony of dark black fruits, dark chocolate, and baking spices defines the nose, elevated by a halo of eucalyptus, graphite, and tobacco. On entry, a sumptuous medley of blackcurrant, black cherry, and supple leather swirls over medium+ acidity and small, grippy, uniform tannins – an intricate structure that sets the stage for remarkable aging potential. The finish is dry, layered with spice undertones and resonating with vanilla beans, crushed violets and additional dark fruits. Just superb.