Tasting Notes

The 2005 was a luxuriantly long, cool and superb vintage. Rains took a brief pause in March and then continued to fall late into the growing season, delaying bloom and set. When summer arrived in June, it stretched on with pleasant days and few real heat spikes into late September. Just as we were about to fret an Indian Summer arrived and provided ideal harvest conditions with amply ripened fruit and beautiful acidity. A fortuitous first vintage for us and a stellar one around the valley.

The 2005 vintage OVID Napa Valley is instantly expressive, with aromas of baked blackberries, cassis and cherries coming from the glass, even as the wine is being poured. The color is dark blue purple and coats the glass. Intense flavors of black fruits, dried currants, and spice bread are delivered to the palate with great precision, leading to multiple layers, including wet gravel, pencil lead and smoke. This dense and complex wine has a lengthy finish packed with fruit and framed by broad polished tannins.

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Critical Acclaim

Wine Spectator

Beautifully crafted, rich and complex.

Beautifully crafted, rich and complex, focused on ripe, loamy currant, spice, subtle herb and mineral notes that are well-proportioned, offering depth and concentration while remaining elegant and fleshy. Has a long, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. 418 cases made.

Antonio Galloni

The 2005 OVID is just beginning to show the first signs of aromatic development. New leather, smoke, tobacco, mint and savory herbs give the 2005 much of its aromatic signatures. The 2005 has more than enough depth to drink well for another decade or more. Hints of mocha, blackberry jam and dark spices wrap around the fleshy finish. The 2005 shows just how far OVID has come over the past decade.