2011 Ramey 'Pedregal' Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Winemaker Notes:  "Pedregal" means a rocky place in Spanish, and that is certainly a distinguishing feature of the site. This is a small, hillside vineyard on the lower slopes of eastern Oakville that's planted to 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. Aging the 2011 sur lies with monthly batonnage has coated the tannins and smoothly integrated the wood. We left this vintage 19 months in 100% new French barrels (Taransaud and Darnajou).

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2011 Pedregal Proprietary Red (now called Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard) is the latest library release from Ramey. It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, co-fermented and aged 19 months in 100% new French oak—David Ramey says 26 months maturation is normal, but the challenges of the 2011 vintage dictated a shorter élevage. Medium ruby, it has pretty redcurrants, licorice, dried herbs and leather on the nose. The palate is soft, elegant and at its peak for drinking with its blend of red fruits and savory, mature tones."


Vinous - "(includes 24% petit verdot): Glass-staining ruby. Heady aromas of cherry compote, pipe tobacco and vanilla bean, along with smoke and incense accents and a hint of candied rose. Fleshy and appealingly sweet, offering sappy red fruit flavors and a suave floral quality that expands with air. Velvety tannins build slowly on the finish, with the vanilla and rose notes strong echoing. Quite generous for the vintage, with the depth and structure to age."


Wine Spectator - "Marked by a dose of charry, smoky oak, this offers dense flavors of dark berry, currant, black licorice and dried herb. Ends with gutsy tannins and a persistent finish. Needs cellaring. Best from 2015 through 2024."