What We Say 2020 'OVIS' High Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Up up down down left right left right A B A B START!
Konami cheat code unlocked this: 95 POINT CAB FOR UNDER $30!?
What’s the catch?
Well, for starters it doesn’t come from Napa. So if you’re ok with Izod instead of Lacoste, or Toyota instead of Lexus, this is right for you.
The performance here is unmatched for the price. Like getting an extra 30 lives in Contra, except you get an extra $30+ back in your pocket, which is arguably better as an adult.
This comes from Shannon Family, and you should know them by now. Just north of Napa, a blimp ride over Howell Mountain, and you’ll arrive in Lake County. Locally we have a saying, “come for vacation and leave on probation” which iykyk, but the reality is there’s some damn fine grapes being grown here and the cost of fruit is a fraction of what you’d pay just a few miles south in Napa.
There’s a good reason Andy Beckstoffer, Fred Schrader and other prolific names invest up there - the rich soils and rugged terrain make for perfect growing conditions while tending the vines cost MUCH less. However, the Shannons have been making wine from these parts for years, together with partners like the Giannecchinis, they farm thousands of acres up there. This is proof they know what they’re doing.
Busting with robust, structured fruit, it’s giving ripe cherry, plum, and currants, with a touch of black olives and a dusting of exotic spices like cardamom, ceylon cinnamon, and maybe some grains of paradise?! Whatever is happening here, it’s all good, and extremely satisfying to my taste buds that would swear this costs 2-3x more.
Your new daily drinker? It’s definitely ours. Your turn…
95 points - Wine Enthusiast - “This wine is complex, concentrated, with aromas of dark berries, citrus, florals, and black tea on the nose. The flavors on the palate are the boysenberry, cassis, dark chocolate, bay leaf, and a juicy dry finish. Decant and Drink until 2034 Pair with Rib Eye Steak.”
What the Winery Says
Shannon Family
Our goal was to showcase the quality Cabernet Sauvignon we can produce off volcanic soils in High Valley. These vines are planted on a sloped hillside along the ridge of our home ranch property.
The 2020 OVIS Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine with a deep ruby red color. Red fruit aromas such as cassis, cherries and ripe plums are perceived in this wine, along with spicy fragrances such as black pepper and cloves. In the mouth it is a complex wine, with a good body and structure, round, ripe tannins and excellent length. The aging in oak brings flavors of toast, chocolate and vanilla.
