Operatives sing along with us… “I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road, I’m gonna ride ‘til I can’t no more.”

Today’s wine is yeehaw great! One of our all-time favorites, Saddleback is back in the saddle again with the rockin’ ‘14 rendition of their ever so popular Oakville Cabernet. There is nothing, we repeat, nothing else left comparable out there in the world of Oakville Cabernet that is equally thoroughbred and affordable at the same time. Accolades? Where does one begin… first and foremost this masterpiece 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. Since the ‘80s, Napa veteran Nils Venge’s wines have always garnered massive scores, medals, awards, all that, yet they insist on keeping their prices REAL amid cult neighbors that are in the $100s to $1,000s a bottle range. Wines of this caliber don’t come around often, it stands tall on the Napa Valley’s showiest reds stage.

A deep magenta core reflects just enough light through to bring out ruby and garnet highlights. Very classy on the nose in abundant black currant, mineral, and spicy character with hints of leather and tobacco. There is so much to admire here, with a full-body, ultrafine firm, silky smooth tannins and redolent cherries. Bright and persistent on the finish with blackberry and blueberry, with resonating elegance, richness, and complexity. While it sips beautifully on its own, for the classically minded, pair with a well-seared T-bone, for the adventurous, a flourless dark chocolate cake.

One of Nils’ biggest fans has always been Robert Parker, who assures that “over the last 30 years Nils Venge has produced compelling many Cabernet Sauvignons… as one of the pioneers and architects of the Golden Age of California wines… I had my last bottle of one of Venge’s great Cabernet Sauvignons, the 1978 Villa Mt. Eden, still spectacular at 27 years of age, this fabulously complex Cabernet Sauvignon is further proof that few people have as much experience and a resume as extraordinary and impressive as the ebullient Nils Venge.”

The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in 1993. Oakville is considered one of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. Saddleback always sells out quickly so don’t hesitate to pile up, as they also age really, really well for decades to come.

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

Gold Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition

90-92 Points - Robert Parker - ” The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up beautiful, chocolaty crème de cassis fruit with a touch of background oak, a full-bodied, opulent mouthfeel, and a luscious finish with no hard edges. It is classic Nils Venge Cabernet Sauvignon and should age nicely for up to 20 years, although it is going to be delicious when released. Drink 2016-2036.”