Brooding, powerful, grippy.
Oliver's Phantom Creek Estates is owned by China-born Richmond-based businessman Richter Bai, who purchased the Phantom Creek and Beker (formerly owned by Harry McWatters who named it the Sundial Vineyard) vineyards in 2016.
From there a winery was erected, complete with guest center and restaurant. In 2021 Mark Beringer of Napa Valley joined the team as Director of Winemaking; he works alongside French consultants Olivier Humbrecht MW and Philippe Melka.
The cuvee is Cabernet Franc (45%), Cab Sauv (31%) and Merlot (24%) from estate Golden Mile Bench and Black Sage Bench fruit; it was aged in French oak (24% new) for 19 months.
It's a brooding wine of scorched earth aromas woven with salted black licorice, grilled plums, red and black currents and leather. It's a powerful wine, extracted and grippy. It is tightly wound with bittersweet chocolate, espresso, grilled bell pepper and charred spice flavours. Decanting recommended.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 24th, 2021