Groth 2018 Reserve Cabernet 1.5L

The Groth 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the epitome of Oakville's celebrated winemaking heritage, showcasing the pinnacle of excellence from the Reserve Vineyard. Nestled within their prestigious Oakville Estate, this nearly 28-acre plot is distinguished by its high concentration of chert—a rare, compact sedimentary rock composed of quartz crystals and fossils. This unique soil profile, coupled with the estate’s ideal climate, fosters the production of wines that embody both elegance and remarkable aging potential, making it a standout from one of the world’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon appellations.

The 2018 vintage is characterized by a long, mild growing season, beginning with a cooler spring and a slightly delayed bud break. Fortunately, the season saw minimal frost threat and generally pleasant conditions that persisted throughout. While a few days did exceed 100°F, the overall climate was consistent, with a later bud break extending the harvest period and allowing the grapes extended hang time for superior flavor development.

Exclusively sourced from the 27.43-acre Reserve Vineyard, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes benefit from meticulous vineyard practices. Pre-veraison cluster thinning, followed by two additional passes post-veraison, ensures optimal grape quality. Harvesting occurs at night to preserve the berries' integrity and prevent heat stress. This is followed by rigorous sorting both in the field and at the winery, where only the finest berries are selected for fermentation. The fermentation process is conducted in small, temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, followed by 22 months of aging in dedicated dual-level Reserve barrel rooms—eight months separately for each lot, and an additional 14 months after blending.

Visually, the Groth 2018 Reserve Cabernet presents a deep purple-ruby hue, reflecting its rich and intense character. The aromatic profile is complex and inviting, with initial notes of blueberry and black currant evolving into layers of cinnamon, mocha, lavender, and clove. Subtle hints of cigar box and wet gravel further enrich the bouquet. On the palate, this Cabernet reveals fine tannins and balanced acidity, leading to flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, and ripe plum skin. The finish is seamless and smooth, embodying the hallmark of Groth's Reserve Cabernets—a wine of remarkable depth and finesse that stands as a testament to its exceptional pedigree.

Alcohol: 14.7%

96 POINTS - "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is sourced from choice blocks on the Groth family's Oakville property. A gorgeous, classically built wine, the Reserve is just fabulous today. Dark red-toned fruit, cedar, spice and mocha lend considerable energy as the 2018 gradually opens in the glass. I would be in no rush here." - Vinous

96 POINTS - "This has the vivid, driven cassis, boysenberry and blackberry fruit of the vintage, but it's well-harnessed, with streaks of racy anise, alder and sweet bay leaf providing focus and precision. There's a long echo of iron and savory through the finish as the fruit lingers, leaving a mouthwatering feel. Understated in style compared with its colleagues, but no less complex. Best from 2022 through 2038." - Wine Spectator

94 POINTS - "Aromas of ripe blackberries, blueberries, plums, earth, lavender and bark. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and juicy with a caressing texture and a bright core of spiced fruit. Elegant. Drink from 2023." - James Suckling

Purple-ruby in color, this wine is dark and rich even to the eye. A plethora of aromatics greet you from the glass, beginning with blueberry and black currant, and leading to cinnamon, mocha, lavender and clove. The final aromatics to reveal themselves are cigar box and wet gravel. When tasting the wine, the first impression is the fine tannin and balanced acid, which then leads to boysenberry, blackberry and ripe plum skin. The finish is seamless and smooth — the hallmark of a Groth Reserve Cabernet.