2011 Ovid Red

Perhaps the biggest surprise in this tasting, the 2011 Ovid is superb. Aromatically nuanced, finessed and silky on the palate, the 2011 hits all the right notes. Next to the other wines in the range, the 2011 is a bit lighter in feel, but in exchange, there is a level of detail and precision that is not present in years such as 2007 and 2009. Frankly, this is an eye-opening wine. Among other things, the 2011 shows what was possible in hillside sites with diligent farming and winemaking in this very challenging vintage. A burst of raspberry jam and sweet floral notes rounds things out nicely.

(a blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 4% merlot and 2% petit verdot): Deep red-ruby. Aromas of plum, black raspberry, crushed blackberry and coffee. Bright, sharply delineated and sweet, with dark berry flavors complicated by sage, white flowers, sassafras and sexy oak tones. Finishes with noble, round, serious tannins that reach the front teeth and perfumed cabernet franc notes of licorice and flowers. The fruit here got ripe, noted winemaker Austin Peterson, as the rain on this well-drained rocky site was less damaging. The cool year also made for very fresh fruit, he added. Still, this densely packed wine will require time in bottle to deliver the complexity promised by the nose today.

The 2011 Ovid is super-silky, finessed and beautiful. There is a bit less resonance and depth relative to most vintages, but the 2011 makes up for that with its aromatic complexity, pure expressiveness and long, resonant finish. With time in the glass, the spiced and floral notes become more apparent. The delicate, perfumed finish rounds things out beautifully. The 2011 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, which is more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Franc than is usually the case. This is another striking wine from Ovid.