Winemaker Notes
The 2016 OVID Napa Valley reflects the pleasure and opulence of the long and nearly perfect growing season that created it. This wine’s dense and powerful palate is complemented by freshness and vibrancy that give it tremendous poise. Expansive aromas of mulberry, fresh crushed raspberry, licorice, forest floor and pen ink are just beginning to tell the tale of a spectacular season.
Critical Acclaim
99 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Blended of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red Wine gives bright, vivacious scents of crushed red and black cherries, blackcurrants and warm plums with vibrant wafts of lilacs, powdered cinnamon, black pepper and fenugreek plus hints of wild sage and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with a very firm structure of wonderfully ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, it has a taut, muscular fruit profile laced with loads of energetic red and black fruit sparks with a very long, spicy finish. Wow!
98 Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a vintage described as similar to 2015, only with a normal-sized crop. This inky colored beauty has some similarities to the 2014 with its perfectly balanced, elegant, yet powerful style. Made from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an incredible display of finesse paired to power, remarkable sweetness of fruit, and a finish that leaves you looking for another sip. Another heavenly wine from this estate, I’d put this in the list of desert island wines for yours truly.
97 Vinous
The 2016 Ovid is another superb wine from Ovid. Black cherry, mocha, spice, leather and menthol are all beautifully delineated. Powerful and yet light on its feet, the Ovid shows many of the qualities that make wines off this Pritchard Hill estate so compelling. I can’t wait to see how this ages.
Rating: 97+
95 Decanter
In 2017 Ovid was sold to the Duncan family of Silver Oak, but Austin Peterson stayed on as winemaker. There are intense blackcurrant aromas on the nose, which is direct and lifted, giving real finesse. For a Pritchard Hill Cabernet it shows a light touch, with moderate tannins and good acidity. It’s succulent but also shows ample grip on the finish. Very long with a solid finish – this clearly needs time. Drinking Window 2021 – 2040
