A little different Thanksgiving for lots of folks this year–myself included. My parents were hosting a housefull of boomers and silents, and we made the decision to stay put and actually do something I’ve never done in my life and GO TO A RESTAURANT FOR A FULL-ON THANKSGIVING MEAL WITH ALL THE FIXINS! Obviously, this influenced wine decision. Typically I open some pretty special, geeky, or older wines on holidays, but toned everything down for this outing. I didn’t want to take anything weird, or expensive–for sharing reasons–and I didn’t want to take old stuff for logistical reasons like corks and back-ups.
And what shows you care about your fellow man more than MAGS??? I grabbed this mag of Oakville cab so there would be plenty of pours all around and even a 2012 for the EXTRA crowd-pleasing point. I love these wines and NOBODY was disappointed.
Not as lush and ripe as you might expect in nose or taste. One of the main things I like about this label. Edgy green-tinged briar, black walnut, black tea, and of course black fruit ply BOTH bouquet and palate. These wines are so pretty and yet they resist the fruit-forwardness of say… Caymus and the ridiculous oak of say… Far Niente (there are many MANY others who could be plugged into those two spots NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT). These wines are just flat-out beautifully done, roiling with complex tannins and just enough earth to temper the beauty of the ripe fruit.
When mags get emptied you know the night was a success.
2012 OAKVILLE WINERY Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 14.2
Stephen McConnell 