Plumpjack, Oakville, McWilliams Oakville Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2005

Into neck 97 Points Wine Advocate Even I raised my eyebrows when I saw the price of this wine, but monetary issues aside, this is a spectacular effort from PlumpJack. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which I believe is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, comes from the old Villa Mt. Eden Vineyard that produced such great wines in 1973, 1974 and 1975. It is now called the McWilliams Vineyard. You couldn’t ask for a better terroir and location, sandwiched between some mighty titans, such as Rudd Estate, Screaming Eagle across the street, and a Who’s Who of vineyards from the eastern Vaca hillsides to the western lower slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. A big nose of licorice, graphite, blueberry, blackberry liqueur, a touch of incense and background oak is followed by a full-bodied, opulent, multi-layered wine with terrific purity, refined, sweet tannin, youthfulness and a voluptuous texture. This is a beauty to drink over the next 20 years. (RP) 06/2015