Robert Parker Jr.

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a small cuvée of only 125 cases from their estate vineyard in Oak Knoll. This is pedal-to-the-medal Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple in color, with rich, sweet blackcurrants and black berry fruit, a long, concentrated mouthfeel, beautifully sweet, integrated tannin and no real evidence of oak, although it’s probably 100% new cooperage. This is a beauty, full-bodied, and a stunning wine. Drink it over the next 15 years.”

“One of the most Titanic Merlots ever made in Northern California, the wine is rich, full, reveals graphite intermixed with chocolate, sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit in abundance. It’s full-bodied, opulent, luxurious and even extravagant. This is over the top, but incredibly well-balanced and pure Merlot to drink over the next decade. Bravo!”

“A profound effort, the 2013 Chardonnay Reserve is a killer Chardonnay. Offering notes of poached pear, orange and tangerine oil, a full-bodied mouthfeel, great texture and purity, this is a super wine from their estate four-acre block in the Oak Knoll District. This Chardonnay is no shy child at 15% alcohol, but it is beautifully obscured by the extravagant fruit. It is a compelling wine — light greenish gold in color, with magnificent depth of fragrance and flavor. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.”

“The 2013 Proprietary Red Seduction is slightly denser ruby/purple in color, shows slightly more tannin and structure, more new saddle leather, blackberry and cassis, full body and a long, pure, rich finish. This is again a wine that this estate seems to expect the consumer to drink in its first 10-12 years of life. This is another beauty from O’Brien Estates and is slightly more dark-fruit oriented than the Romance of the Heart.”

“This estate doesn’t make things easy, with two more proprietary wines called Seduction. Another dense purple wine, the 2008 Seduction displays blueberries, spring flowers, and creme de cassis in a beautifully scented style. Silky smooth, “seductive,” rich, and opulent, this altogether hedonistic and intellectual turn-on should be drunk over the next decade.”

“The 2007 Unrestrained Reserve (with the same blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) shares a similarly restrained character with its younger sibling. Inky purple, with hints of plum, Asian spice, black currants, jammy blackberries, and some licorice and graphite, the wine has fabulous richness, full-bodied power, and terrific intensity, purity and texture. All of these wines merit serious attention and are great examples of both vintages, demonstrating how close 2007 and 2008 can be in the hands of top winemakers with super terroirs.”

“The 2007 Seduction exhibits more graphite, licorice, black currant, and blackberry, with some floral underpinnings. Slightly more restrained, this gorgeous, medium to full-bodied wine is another impressive example of Napa viticulture at an attractive price point.”

“One of the sexiest and most delicious Merlots made in Northern California. Plump, rich and aged 18 months in 75% new French oak, the wine shows coffee, loads of mocha and black cherry fruit in an unctuous, fleshy, Pomerol style. This is complex, rich, juicy and succulent. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.”

“The juiciest of dark raspberries, cloves, mint and freshly cut roses flow from the 2010 Red Blend Romance of the Heart. This supple, inviting wine possesses gorgeous depth and richness, all in a silky style that makes it approachable today. The 2010 firms up with time in the glass, but it remains quite polished and approachable for the year. Sweet herbal notes from the Cabernet Franc appear on the finish, adding further complexity and character. Anticipated maturity: 2013–2020.”

“The 2008 Unrestrained Reserve is a blend of 49% Cabernet Franc, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Surprisingly, this wine seems more shy than any of the others in its aromatics, but I’m sure there’s a lot under the surface. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and the wine hints of black cherry liqueur, black currant, charcoal and camphor. In the mouth, it is juicy, full-bodied, opulent, and impossible to resist. It is a layered, concentrated, big wine but extremely well-balanced and pure. It should drink well for up to 15 or 20 years.”

“The 2008 Merlot shocked me with its big, chocolaty, spicy nose with hints of Asian spices, chocolate-covered coffee beans, red and black fruits, and its heady, luxurious, full-bodied mouthfeel. This wine should drink well for a decade.”