2013 Ovid Napa Valley Proprietary Blend

2013 Ovid Napa Valley

98+ VM

Featured Review

This tasting reinforces my view that the 2013 is the most complete Ovid yet. Dark, powerful and vertical in its sense of structure, the 2013 possesses terrific intensity, with a backbone of firm tannin that will allow the wine to age gracefully for many years. I wouldn’t dream of touching a bottle before age ten. Vivid and exceptionally balanced, the 2013 Ovid captures all the pedigree that is such a signature of this great Napa Valley vintage. Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 98+ VM

A decade later, the 2013 Ovid is a complete wine, showcasing the limitless potential of crafting Cabernet Sauvignon perfection atop Pritchard Hill. Effusive aromas of red berry fruits lightly powdered by the dust of pulverised crushed stones are framed by succulent cedar spices and pops of blue agave, new-growth chaparral, dried thyme, sage and rose petals. Full-bodied and layered with a rich panoply of blackberry, cherry, plum, and pomegranate fruits with a zesty acid tension. A mix of fruit and warm earth notes is supported by powerful, grippy tannins that firm up the broad-shouldered structure, while the finish is lengthy and filled with a host of purple florals, creme de cassis, and more elegant cedar spices. Seamless, pleasure-packed and simply wonderful to drink.

Decanter | 100 DEC

The 2013 Proprietary Red, a slightly different blend from the 2012 of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc, is a much smaller production of 350 cases. This wine, which ratchets up the level of intensity, has an opaque purple color and a beautiful nose of blackberry, blueberry and cassis as well as hints of espresso, white flowers, and subtle background toast. The wine hits the palate with a cascade of gorgeous fruit, sweet tannin, great delineation and acidity, and a long, velvety, voluptuously textured mouthfeel. This big, inky, thick, juicy wine should age beautifully for 25-30 years.

Robert Parker | 98 RP

A dense, powerful expression of loamy earth, crushed rock and gravelly dark berry, shaded by firm, cedary oak. Dense and tannic, this begs for cellaring, though the flavors keep unfolding on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2032. 350 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 94 WS

A red with blackberry and licorice aromas and flavors. Hints of coffee. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Solid red here. Muscular. Better in 2018.

James Suckling | 93 JS

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