Groth 2022 Oakville Cabernet

Rutherford and Oakville remain two of Napa Valley’s most hallowed terroirs, producing Cabernet Sauvignon of undeniable pedigree, and the Groth 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that exemplifies this legacy with authority. The season presented challenges—heat spikes followed by cooler interludes—but Groth’s meticulous vineyard team navigated the extremes with precision, delivering fruit of exceptional concentration and purity. What has emerged from the cellar is a wine that not only pays homage to its Oakville roots but also underscores Groth’s continued mastery in crafting age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the glass, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon gleams with a deep purple-ruby core that hints at the wine’s youthful intensity. The bouquet is immediately seductive, offering aromas of blueberry pie, raspberry compote, and toffee, lifted by accents of macerated cranberry and shortcrust pastry. There is a finely tuned interplay of fruit and oak, where 45% new French barrels contribute whispers of vanilla bean and sweet spice without overwhelming the purity of the fruit. Subtle herbal notes of bay leaf and tarragon lend further nuance, underscoring the layered complexity that has become a hallmark of Groth’s Oakville bottlings.

On the palate, the wine unfolds with precision and energy. Flavors of cherry reduction, tart red plum, and wild cherry dominate the mid-palate, balanced by pomegranate juice and the savory undertones of dried herbs and tobacco leaf. The texture is supple yet firm, framed by grippy tannins that provide structure without austerity. There is a vibrancy here—an energetic through-line that makes the wine both immediately appealing and capable of graceful evolution over the next decade. The finish is long, elegant, and persistent, marked by freshness and poise rather than sheer power.

Crafted from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the blend reflects the diversity of the Oakville AVA, sourced from Groth’s sustainably farmed estate vineyards and trusted grower partners. Night harvesting, hand cluster-sorting, and precise fermentation in the Oakville winery ensured purity of expression, while 19 months in French oak lent refinement and structure. The result is a wine that bridges classic Oakville richness with modern elegance, a testament to Groth’s dedication to terroir and craftsmanship.

For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that balances intensity with finesse, the Groth 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon delivers with authority. It is a wine of pedigree, layered complexity, and undeniable charm, destined to shine both on release and after years in the cellar.

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Alcohol: 14.1%

92 POINTS - "This young wine is impressively concentrated, tannic and tight at this stage of its development, but it carries the proper amount of dark fruit, dark chocolate and heady oak spices to gain complexity with age." - James Suckling

The 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine that presents a deep, purple-ruby hue. It offers an elegant bouquet on the nose, with layers, of toffee, blueberry pie, and raspberry compote, complemented by delicate vanilla bean, macerated cranberry, and shortcrust pastry. Herbal notes of bay leaf and tarragon add complexity, enhancing the wine’s refined character. On the palate, vibrant flavors of cherry reduction sauce, tart red plum, wild cherry, and fresh strawberry come to the forefront, while hints of dried herbs, tobacco leaf, and fresh pomegranate juice bring depth and intrigue. The wine finishes with fine, grippy tannins, offering structure and a lively, energetic experience.