2021 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

96 POINTS: Just 4.8ha of Oakville Cabernet are designated for Groth's Reserve blocks. This blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot was aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It spent another 14 months in bottle before being released—wonderfully rich and expressive black cherry, leather, and tobacco aromatics. Full-bodied and framed by supple, fine-grained tannins and building finesse in its dusty dried violets, rose petal florals, and dusty mineral backbone. A nice, long, pleasant finish rounds out this polished Reserve Cabernet. Certainly one for the cellar, but incredibly pleasing at the pull of the cork today.