By Groth Vineyards
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Producers Notes
Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the essence of the most remarkable wine-growing region in Napa Valley. Or maybe the world. It originates from our small Reserve Vineyard, where soil and climate coalesce, allowing us to produce the ultimate expression of Oakville. The Groth family has produced Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from their Reserve Vineyard in Oakville since 1983. Location is paramount in providing the perfect blend of diurnal temperatures, rainfall amounts, and unique soil profiles. To realize the site's full potential, the vineyard was replanted in 1999, updating the rootstock, clones, and trellising system.

Vineyard Details
Area: 27.78 acres
Soil: Yolo loam, gravel strata
Rootstock: 039-16 and SO4
Clones: 7, 15 and 337
Trellis: Quadrilateral cordon
Harvested: At night from September 7th through September 22nd

Harvesting
A mild winter and early spring bud break led to an early harvest. Yields were lighter, no surprise after three large vintages. Moderate weather during the growing season with a series of heat spikes post-veraison pushed the fruit to a nice full ripeness with deep flavors. All of the Cabernet Sauvignon is from our 27.78-acre Reserve Block here at the Estate. In these vineyards, we do a pre-veraison cluster thinning followed by two post-veraison cluster thinnings. Cabernet Sauvignon clusters are night harvested, allowing the fruit to remain cool for sorting and cold soak. Clusters are initially sorted in the field, followed by a secondary hand sort at the winery. They are then de-stemmed, and the grapes are mechanically sorted, assuring only the best berries go into each small fermentation lot.

Vinification
The must is cold soaked for up to three days prior to inoculation. After fermentation is complete, barrel aging takes place in our dedicated, dual-level Reserve barrel rooms. Barrel lots are aged separately for eight months, blended, and the final blend is then aged for an additional 14 months. The 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for a total of 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

Wine Details
Blending: All the Cabernet Sauvignon from our Reserve Block was harvested as separate lots; 65% of the lots were selected for the final blend, with 1% of Merlot grown on our Hillview Estate.
Barrels: 100% new French oak
Coopers: Vernou, Boutes, Sylvain, Quintessence, Seguin Moreau, Radoux, Bel Air, Taransaud
Aging: 22 months in barrel; 14 months in bottle before release

Tasting Notes
"The deep crimson color of this wine hints at the intensity of the 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - concentrated and powerful, with a finish that goes on for days." - Cameron Parry, Director of Wine-Growing
[Information provided by Groth Wines]

Groth Vineyards and Winery, Oakville, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015 
The previous vintage of reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Groth was a stunning wine and the 2015 is as good if not better. This vintage is robust and muscular, showing layered notes of blackberry and cassis, a hint of graphite and firm tannins. Still tight at this stage, another five to seven years in the cellar would be optimum before serving this wine, though it is certainly drinkable now. 
Points: 96 
Reviewed By: Robert Whitley 
Review Date: Feb 12, 2019

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Producer: Groth
Place of Origin: United States, Napa
Color: Red
Grape/Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Rating: 95
Drinking Window: 2023-2035
From: Brilliance in Napa Valley: 2016 and 2015 Cabernets (Jan 2018)
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni on September 2017
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is fabulous. Rich and unctuous in the glass, but without losing its classic feel, the Reserve conveys the richness of the vintage nicely. Black cherry, creme de cassis, smoke, licorice and sweet spice infuse the resonant, super-inviting finish. What a beautiful wine this is.

Groth 2015 Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Rating: 94
Groth’s Reserve Block runs north from Oakville Cross Road along the eastern bank of Conn Creek, just under 28 acres replanted in 1999 and 2001. The vines produced a bold, luscious 2015, defining Oakville in its rich dimensions, held in check by clear and resolute harmonies in the tannins (think Presbyterian church music). The fresh fruit flavors of blueberries and plums have exceptional length, ample and energized, while the warmth of the wine begins to show after several days open. Lovely to drink on release, this should develop well over the next several years.
(02/19)

GROTH Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 'Reserve' 2015
Rating: 94
Value: $150
Drink: 2018-2032
Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: [...], Oakville
Editor: J. D'Angelo
Issue: October, 2018
The 2015 Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic showing from Groth. This was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak, followed by over a year of additional bottle-aging before release. It begins with attractive aromas of dark currants, black cherries and creme de cassis, which are woven together with graphite, sweet spices, dusty minerals and hints of spring florals all developing in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, displaying nice overall structure and balance with notable depth and concentration. Flavors of ripe dark fruits, spices and graphite all continue to build on the palate and expand through the long, supple finish. While this is already offering wonderful appeal, it should also continue to develop nicely in bottle for quite some time.

Groth 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
From: Oakville, Napa, California, US
Rating: 93 - Cellar Selection
Winery: Groth
Region: Napa
Alcohol: 14.90%
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Type: Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Issue Date: 4/1/2019
Plum, clove and tobacco mark this distinct reserve-worthy red, made from the producer's own estate-reserve block. Inviting floral aromatics entice equally, underlining its understated elegance and class. Black licorice lines thick, grippy tannin and oak, suggesting ample time for cellaring. Enjoy 2025-2030.
Reviewed by: Virginia Boone

GROTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY OAKVILLE RESERVE 2015
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Country: United States
Region: California
Vintage: 2015
Score: 93
Coffee beans, eucalyptus, blackberry bush, pressed violets, slate and vanilla. Very full with bold tannins, lots of oak influence, grainy sweet fruit and a chewy finish. Verges on too much but comes together at the end. Needs lots of time. A blend of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot. Drink in 2021.

Groth, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville
Tasted by: Dave Allen, Stephen Brook, Terry Kandylis (at Decanter Magazine's December 2019 Californian Cabernet 2015 Panel Tasting, London, 17 Sep 2019)
Part of Top California Cabernet 2015 wines: Full vintage report
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2034
Points: 89
Producer: Groth
Brand: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2015
Wine Type: Still 
Colour: Red
Country: USA
Region: California
Sweetness: Dry 
Closure: Cork 
Alcohol: 14.90%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
​​​​​​​Very well made wine, combining a rich blackberry nose with well-integrated oak. Lovely structure and very good length.

Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Reserve 2015
Score: 86
Release Price: $150
Reviewed By: James Laube
Wine Type and Color: Red Still
Magazine Issue: Web Only - 2018
Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California / Napa / Oakville
Cedary oak plays a strong role in this youngster, making assessment a challenge, as the dark berry fruit comes across as dry and tannic. Best from 2020 through 2030.