Congratulations to our friend, Nils Venge, for being selected as this year’s Wine Spies Wine Intrigue Awards for Winemaker of the Year! This is the 2nd time in our 13 year history that Nils has received this award. The last time was in 2013 - when today’s remarkable Saddleback Cellars 2013 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was made!

Remember, 2013 is the new “it” vintage for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, all of the major wine press heralds this vintage as the best in a decade, even beating out 2010 as the vintage to have, hold, and enjoy.

We’ve got the latest from our dear friends at Saddleback Cellars, their sublime Saddleback Cellars 2013 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Previous vintages of this wine have become some of our most purchased Cabs, by your fellow Operatives, who know a great wine when they see one!

Hear from the winemaker in his own words:

Peer into the glass and you’ll see a barely translucent garnet with a beautiful magenta lip. This wine has an awesome and wild nose of pecan and alfalfa with milk chocolate and baking spice with lingonberry fruit quality. The palate is delicious with more expected flavors of currant, vanilla, anise, plum compote and heady potpourri. It bursts onto the palate, first heading straight towards the back, then expanding sideways and finally upwards, until the grippy tannin coats the mouth and hangs on tight for a long and robust finish. This is the one! Time to spoil yourself and order that bacon-wrapped filet mignon. You won’t be disappointed.

This wine was crafted by America’s first 100 point winemaker, Nils Venge, whose wines we first featured in 2009 - back when we were just fledgling spies. Nils Venge is one of America’s best contemporary winemakers, and we are very proud to have featured nearly 30 of his wonderful wines over these last several years. With each successive vintage, Nils’ wines seem to get better and better.

Saddleback Cellars is located in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in July 1993. Oakville is considered one of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in California.

.

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

91 Points - Robert Parker - “A dense ruby/purple, with loads of creamy cassis fruit, toasty oak, medium to full body and an attractive, long finish. This is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink 2017-2030.”

“90 Points” - Wine Spectator