2017 Samantha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Family-owned property, organic certified. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, p lanted on volcanic bedrock with alluvial sediment overlay. Harvest started 3 September and concluded 27 September, a week before the 2017 fires. 63% new French oak. 650 cases made. Winemaker Natalie Bath was an intern at Rudd in 2012, became assistant winemaker in 2017, took over winemaking of Crossroads in 2018, and is now in charge of the Rudd wines as well. The wines have been trending towards less oak with a fresher bouquet and refreshing acidity. Ripe blackberries, black cherry, violet, cassis, wet rock, willow bark, blackberry leaf, browned pie crust, fresh acid, firm grippy slightly bitter cocoa-nib tannins, balanced oak. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Oakville Estate Samantha's Cabernet Sauvignon is dark, rich and powerful. Black cherry, spice, blackberry jam, grilled herbs, smoke and licorice all build in a sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon built on textural density and breadth. The 2017 is a gorgeous wine, especially within the context of the vintage.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Samantha’s is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 22 months in French oak, 63% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little closed to begin, soon unfurling to reveal pretty suggestions of lilacs, star anise, fragrant soil and Chinese five spice with a core of ripe black currants, boysenberries and black cherries plus a waft of cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a great mid-palate chock-full of muscular fruit, supported by well-played, velvety tannins, finishing with a perfumed lift. 649 cases were made.