2021 OVID Hexameter
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little swirling to coax out fragrant notes of lavender oil, red loam, pencil shavings, and garrigue, leading to a core of kirsch, wild blueberries, and red currants with a touch of iron ore. The full-bodied palate has an impactful, rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and a refreshing line countering the tightly wound red fruit and savory layers, finishing long and minerally. 100 points.
James Suckling
Effusive blueberry and rose petal aromas, then juicy, appetizing black and red berries in this multilayered blend based on cabernet franc. Blueberry syrup meets light wood char, star anise and grilled herbs, but the fruit dominates. The tannins are so racy. 98 points.
2022 OVID Hexameter
Jeb Dunnuck
It's one heck of an impressive barrel sample, offering tons of cassis and black raspberry-like fruit as well as sweet spice, candied flowers, and tobacco aromas and flavors. It has more density and concentration than most, is deeply hued, has ripe tannins, and a great finish.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2022 Hexameter Red needs considerable swirling and shaking to coax out notes of boysenberries, raspberry coulis, and cedar chest, leading to hints of menthol, pencil lead, and bay leaves. The concentrated, full-bodied palate has rich, stewed berry flavors juxtaposed by bright red fruit, supported by firm, grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing with a spicy lift. 96 points.
2023 OVID Hexameter
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter
Power and precision.
This is a profoundly penetrating wine with perfectly pure red berry and blackberry fruit, a dense core of mulberry fruit, and gorgeous iron-like mineral complexity. Full-bodied and polished. Tons of power and precision. Real freshness. Wonderful integration of high-end oak spices. 100 points.
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Hexameter is absolutely gorgeous.
The 2023 Hexameter is absolutely gorgeous, with a complex, floral perfume of ripe red and black fruits, spicy herbs, leather, and loamy earth. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins, a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming two decades. 98 points.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
OVID has released a succession of compelling wines that seem to get better and better with each passing vintage.
The 2023 Hexameter, OVID's Cabernet Franc-based wine, is super expressive right out of the gate. Strong savory and floral overtones make a powerful opening statement. The aromatics alone are so alluring here. Brisk acids and beams of underlying tannin shape this wonderfully energetic, salivating Napa Valley red. My feeling is that the 2023 will be even more expressive when it recovers from its bottling about two months before this tasting.
