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2012 Oliver's Blend
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2012
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
Appellation
Alexander Valley
Harvest Date
Cabernet Sauvignon Oct 20 & 29, Cabernet Franc Oct 29
Bottling Date
May 14, 2014
Alcohol %
14.4
Robert Parker
94
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The 2012 Oliver's Blend is the eighth vintage from Skipstone. In all this time we have never had the same wine - its always exciting to see what the vineyard will give us for each vintage. Our approach with Oliver's Blend is to blend from up to 20 separate small batch Cabernets to create a foundation from which to embellish it with our other blending varietals. This year the foundation Cabernet was so extraordinary, we wanted to let it stand for the majority of the wine. The 2012 Oliver's Blend is thus 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.
The wine is beautifully expressive of our site. With so many pockets of soil differentiation and exposures, Oliver's Blend is a symphonic compilation of aroma and flavor. This coupled with clonal diversity of three separate Cabernet clones creates an exceptionally complex wine. Dark red and black juicy fruit like plum and cherry are at the center of this wine surrounded by beautiful layers of dried herb, tobacco and mocha. Hints of leather and coffee also add depth to the Cabernet making for an intellectually stimulating experience for the senses. The Cabernet Franc lends a slight floral to the aroma and a complex minerality to the full composition rounding out this wonderfully balanced and complete offering.
Production Notes
18 months in 70% new French Oak
Production
488 cases, allocated