OVID Napa Valley
Tasting Note
The 2006 vintage was a slow and wet one to start. Rains and wet weather continued late into spring with bloom and set occuring only in early June. Nature made up for lost time in July with a ten-day heat wave bringing things back on track. A surprisingly mild fall brought the fruit into perfect maturity and graced us with a long and splendid harvest spanning a whole month through October.
The 2006 OVID Napa Valley has its own story to tell. It begins with vibrant aromas that evoke its red, rocky soil, and contains hints of vanilla bean, black currant, licorice, and smoke. On the palate, it is articulate, layered and velvety, with soft, enticing tannins that enhance the wine’s abundant red fruit and spice. While this wine will continue to evolve over the next 15 years or so, it is also a wine that is wonderfully delicious right now.
Vintage Data
- Appellation:
Napa Valley - Soil Type:
Hambright soil series - Harvest Dates:
September 23-October 23 - pH Level:
3.89 - Alcohol :
14.8% - Aging:
21 months
Robert Parker
Deep, pure, velvety textured, and opulent, this is an atypically seductive, lush 2006.
A blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2006 Proprietary Red offers a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of cassis, licorice, and hints of smoke, tobacco leaf, and roasted coffee beans. Deep, pure, velvety textured, and opulent, this is an atypically seductive, lush 2006.
Wine Spectator
A very ripe style, pushing ripeness to the edge of pruny without being heavy. Rich, layered and full-bodied, turning elegant and gaining depth, with currant and blackberry fruit and fine-grained tannins.
James Suckling
This is polished and very pretty. Minerals and stone in the nose, with dark fruits and spices. Juicy blueberries and currants as well. Full bodied, with a spicy, chewy finish. The palate has a nice stoney character that turns to currants and lead pencil. Tight and silky, but balanced. Just starting to come around now.
Antonio Galloni
OVID’s 2006 is a powerful, intense wine. Still fresh, vibrant and focused, the 2006 is super-impressive today. All of the site signatures are very much present. Mocha, espresso, dark cherries, spice and tobacco add aromatic nuance (…). This is a superb effort in a vintage that is mostly overlooked these days. Winemaker Austin Peterson describes 2006 as a year with a warm summer and pronounced heat spike around Labor Day followed by more moderated conditions for the rest of the season. Harvest took place from late September to the middle of October.