Ramey "Pedregal Vineyard" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
(Oakville, Napa Valley, California) - [WA 95-97] [WS 95] [WE 95] [ST 93-95]

About the Winery:
David Ramey is unquestionably one of the most renowned winemakers in California. He has made wines and consulted for some of the top names in Napa Valley and France, including Chateau Pétrus (the world's most expensive Bordeaux), Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus Estate, and Rudd. He founded his namesake winery in 1996.

About this Wine:
“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 has iron-rich red soil. 

This year’s Pedregal is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot co-fermented. The 2012 aged for 19 months in completely new French barrels (Taransaud and Darnajou). The sur lies aging with monthly bâtonnage coated the tannins and smoothly integrated the wood.  As with all of Ramey's wines, it went through native yeast and malolactic fermentations. 

Ratings & Reviews

95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard (88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot) boasts abundant notes of lead pencil shavings, espresso roast, chocolate, creme de cassis, and blackberries intertwined with notions of scorched earth and spice. Full-bodied, deep, and more masculine and powerful than the Annum, it, too, is a stunning example of Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well for two decades." - Robert M. Parker, Jr. (Dec 2013)

95 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"This features a deep, exotic streak of melted black licorice amid layers of blackberry and wild berry, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and hints of espresso and graphite. Most impressive on the long, sustained finish that keeps repeating the core flavor themes. Drink now through 2028. 650 cases made." – JL (Oct 31, 2015)

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"The producer’s highest-end bottling, this is tightly wound in fine-grained tannins with complex, diverse undertones of chocolate mocha, cherry-vanilla, black tea and garrigue. Layered and balanced, it sends gentle waves of black currant and cassis to the palate, a floral element lurking behind the proceedings. This well-made wine will cellar nicely, through 2032." - Virginie Boone (7/1/2015)

93-95 Points - Stephen Tanzer:
"Glass-staining purple. Heady dark fruit liqueur, incense and mocha aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers and woodsmoke. Spicy blackcurrant and blueberry flavors put on weight with air while retaining outstanding clarity, with a sexy floral accent gaining strength with air. Finishes on a licorice note, with superb thrust and smooth, slow-building tannins." - JR (May 2014)