2022 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
This alluring Cabernet is a big, rich red with immediately inviting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and toasted spices. For all the energy and plushness, this stays well-balanced on the palate with complex flavors, creamy texture, and bold yet silky tannins. The finish lingers for an eternity, which is a relief because this bold red is one you’ll never want to end. Sit with those lingering impressions of baker’s chocolate and espresso before you dive back into the silky, mouth-filling fruit.
If we were to pick just one Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to blast into interstellar space for aliens to try when they stumble upon it someday, that wine would be Plumpjack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville. In our view it is the most flavor-packed, complex, complete bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that you can buy, in pretty much every vintage. Plumpjack is in one posh neighborhood, with Screaming Eagle, Rudd, Bond St. Eden, and Dalla Valle all nearby. This is Oakville’s (and the Valley’s) absolute sweet spot, near the crossroads of Oakville Cross and Silverado Trail. Their Cabernets are absolutely spectacular, stuffed to the gills with ripe cherry fruit and red rose perfume—and very fairly priced compared to the neighbors.
James Suckling
Deep and brooding aromas of blackberry compote, blackcurrants, mocha and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and a generous mouthfeel that is finely integrated, showing layers of mocha, blackcurrants, blood plums, cassis and cured meat. A very fresh yet structured wine that doesn't reflect the difficulties of the vintage. Drink or hold.
Vinous
The PlumpJack 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is laced with dark-toned fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, spice, leather and tobacco. The 2022 is quite savory and on the delicate side, qualities that often take a few years in bottle to show themselves. Here, too, the wine's balance is impeccable.