Saddleback Cellars is where premium Oakville fruit and a half-century of winemaking experience join forces to create deeply profound Cabernet Sauvignon that ranks among one of Oakville’s best values. The winery’s 14-acre vineyard is in a sweet-spot behind OPUS ONE, where the soils and climate combine to produce grapes of regal qualities. Nils Venge crafts the wine, and Nils was the first American winemaker to earn a perfect 100 point score from Robert Parker when he made the 1985 Groth Reserve Cab.

 

Saddleback’s vineyard is near Oakville’s center on Money Road with notable neighbors Plumpjack, Groth, and Silver Oak. The 2016 release showcases the vintage’s intense fruit and powerful style that offers layer after layer of dense black fruits, exotic chocolates, leather, and cassis. 

 

Nils ages his Cabernet for around 24 months in oak barrels, contributing structure and adding additional complexity layers. The 2016 vintage benefited from a further two years in the bottle, and it’s delicious right now will continue to perform for the next decade.

 

Retails at: $78