Oakville AVA Tasting in London

My wife and I attended an amazing tasting of several of the big-hitters from the Oakville AVA, plus some extras. Both of us thought WOTN was the '10 Mondavi Reserve. Bonus points for the "pirate" Raveneau and Egon Muller which were stunning as palate refreshers after so many glasses of Cab. Biggest disappointment was the '09 VHR which might have been in an awkward phase. Cheers!

• NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  This was served as a pre-tasting aperitif with cheese and charcuteries. Brioche and lemon nose. Citrus and quite sweet finish, but not overdone. Very moreish. Scoring this point higher than when I tried this last year. I was impressed and asked for a second glass! 92

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• 2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  This was served from Jeroboam before the sit-down tasting and was not technically part of the formal line-up but ended up both my and my wife's WOTN. Beautiful cassis and smooth dark fruit with mild oak and menthol notes and a long chocolate finish. Low acidity which might put some off but I thought this was seriously classy and had an almost perfect combination of Napa plushness and Bordeaux. 94

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• 2014 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc East Block Oakville 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  White pepper nose. Bright red fruit with bell pepper finish. Quite tannic and feels almost pure Cabernet Sauvignon-like. Still young. 92

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• 2019 Peter Michael Au Paradis 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Campfire nose. Candied cherry palate. Aniseed finish. Rich but seems to hold it together. Too young to show complexity but a crowd-pleasing drink. The red dirt finish reminds me somewhat of Scarecrow. 92-93

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• 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cœur de Vallée 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Blackberry nose. Sweet black fruit. Mint chocolate. More black than red fruit on the finish. Still very primary. 91-92

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• 2013 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To-Kalon Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Cassis and dark chocolate. Fresh. More concentrated if not quite as smooth as the '10. Seems way too young. 93

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• 2012 Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Molten rock nose. Red fruited palate. More volcano on the palate and nose, hint of red dirt. Sherry-like? 91-92

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• 2010 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Candied nose. Aniseed. Red fruit. Bit tight still. Nice enough but didn't blow me away as much as some people in the tasting seemed to think and didn't stand out. 91

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• 2011 Tierra Roja Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Spicy nose. Ginger. Gingerbread. Red fruit. Plum and soil finish. Quite nice, despite the weak vintage. 92+

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• 2009 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Smoky nose. Dark red and blue fruit. One of the weakest wines of the tasting which is a shame as I have really enjoyed other vintages. Maybe in an awkward phase? 89-90

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• 2015 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  This glass was drank with dinner after a tasting of Cabernet blends and still managed to stand out in my palate fatigue. Underripe pineapple and green apple nose. More pineapple and citrus on the palate with sea spray and light touch of oak on the finish. Not a shouty wine but nice and contemplative. 93-94

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• 2017 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese 93 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  This was served without dessert but would have been even better had we opted for it. Concentrated sweet mandarin orange and some lychee. Laser-like finish. I liked how this was powerful but balanced at the same time like a ballerina on steroids. 93+ seems young.

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