2006 White Oak Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Half Case

6 x 2006 White Oak Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet

You wouldn't know from looking at it, but behind this label is the source of fruit for some of the Napa Valley's most prestigious wineries. White Oak Vineyards actually does most of its business selling grapes to some of the biggest names in Napa and Sonoma. While the specific winery names have to remain confidential, they're all serious producers.

The very best fruit, however, is kept at home and goes into the White Oak estate wines. Only the top 10 percent of the crop makes the cut, and with more than 750 acres under vine, there are plenty of great lots to choose from. The fruit was hand-harvested, and the wine was aged in 50 percent new oak barrels for 20 months – similar to those much more expensive labels.

Founder Bill Myers had been a contractor and a salmon fisherman in Alaska before he settled in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, in the 1970s. It was then that he purchased his first vineyard in the Alexander Valley and began producing Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. It wasn't until the mid-1990s that the property expanded to include land in Napa Valley. It is getting harder and harder to find great Napa Cabernet at reasonable prices, so my suggestion is to stock up on this find.

Tasting Note
The 2006 White Oak Cabernet displays classic Napa Cabernet aromas of cassis, black cherry, coffee, vanilla and baking spices. It is mouth-filling and juicy, with firm but balanced tannins. Though drinking great right now, it has the stuffing to improve for at least another two to three years if you can hold out. This is an ideal wine to serve with prime rib. It's also great with cheeseburgers made with home-ground chuck.

—Eric Lawrence Brown

Eric Lawrence Brown has 10 years of wine experience, with five years as Sales Manager at renowned Los Angeles retailer, Wally’s Wine & Spirits. Since relocating from the East Coast eight years ago, this formerly devout Europhile was converted into an avowed proponent of the region as one of the world’s finest – thanks to frequent tasting expeditions to California’s Central Coast, not to mention proselytizing by local wine gurus. Eric holds certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as the Society of Wine Educators.