2010 Ovid Napa Valley Proprietary Blend

2010 Ovid Napa Valley

98 VM

From the critics:

96-98 RP

92 WS

Featured Review

The first wine in this tasting that still needs time in bottle, the 2010 Ovid is once again superb today. Beams of supporting tannin and acidity give the 2010 its sense of energy and thrust. Another few years of cellaring should allow the tannins to soften and the new oak of to integrate a bit further. Once that happens, the 2010 will be ready to provide thrilling drinking. Black cherry jam, chocolate, plum and mocha infuse the bold, structured finish. Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 98 VM

Sweet dark cherries and plums are some of the notes that explode from the 2010 Ovid. An utterly vivid, breathtaking wine, the 2010 impresses for its incredible balance and overall sense of harmony. Flowers of all sorts, sage and rosemary develop in the glass, adding tons of complexity. Today the 2010 is a little reticent next to the decidedly more exuberant 2009, which is quite typical of wines from Pritchard Hill at this stage in the evolution of these vintages. Power, pure vibrancy and intensity are the hallmarks of the 2010. This is another stunning wine from the team at Ovid. I can’t wait to see how the 2010 develops in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.

Ovid keeps raising the bar with this drop-dead gorgeous set of new releases. Owners Dana Johnson and Mark Nelson have spared no expense in their pursuit to make world-class wines. These new releases are a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality. This year I also tasted two of the ‘Experiment’ series wines, which bear creative names inspired by Dana Johnson’s background in Library Sciences. The talented Austin Peterson makes the wines, Andy Erickson consults and David Abreu manages the vineyards, but what really counts is what is in the bottle. The results so far from this young property have been nothing less than stellar.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96-98 RP

A mix of power and restraint, this gushes with dark and red berry fruit, along with red and black licorice, gaining depth and smoothing out, showing its mettle on the finish, where the flavors are tapered, focused and long. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2015 through 2025. 416 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Type of Wine	California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.
Subregion	Napa Valley
Appellation	Pritchard Hill