2018 Avoyelles

A magical wine in every sense, the 2018 Avoyelles Oakville checks in as 48% Cabernet Franc, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot. More expressive than the A. Price Vineyard (which should be expected, given the difference in the blends), is has a beautiful perfume of crème de cassis, red currants, toasted spice, graphite, and dried flowers, with a touch of tobacco and earth developing with time in the glass. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it has a layered, multi-dimensional texture, incredible tannins, and a great, great finish. In the same league as the 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017, it’s a brilliant wine to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years or more.

The 2018 Avoyelles is a blend of roughly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon (49%) and Cabernet Franc (46%) co-fermented, with a dollop of Petit Verdot (6%) added at the end, all from Oakville Ranch. The interplay of energy and richness is compelling. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, licorice and mint infuse the 2018 with lovely depth as well as texture. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well upon release. This plush, voluptuous red has so much going on.

The 2018 Oakville Ranch Avoyelles is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sashays out of the glass with notions of baked plums, Morello cherries, redcurrants and dried herbs plus hints of pencil lead and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, the palate possesses tightly wound layers of bright, expressive red and black fruits, offering a firm, grainy texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. 155 cases were made.