Macdonald
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
If this isn’t perfect, I don’t know what is. What is most striking to me is the balance of the wine. It is big, and complex and flavorful in many ways. But it brings an embrace of elegance and touch beyond. cherries, medium dark fruits, dust, graphite, hints of spice. Tannins are fine grained. Wonderful acidity and lengthy finish. Just such a nice package- every time I went to smell it or taste it, there was another nuance and layer to consider. Decanted about 5 hrs, and was doing well at that point. Drank with Flannery strips for the holiday.
If this isn’t perfect, I don’t know what is. What is most striking to me is the balance of the wine. It is big, and complex and flavorful in many ways. But it brings an embrace of elegance and touch beyond. cherries, medium dark fruits, dust, graphite, hints of spice. Tannins are fine grained. Wonderful acidity and lengthy finish. Just such a nice package- every time I went to smell it or taste it, there was another nuance and layer to consider. Decanted about 5 hrs, and was doing well at that point. Drank with Flannery strips for the holiday.
Dec 26th, 2021
This was part of a very enjoyable and educational visit with Graeme a couple of weeks back. We tasted the ‘17 from half bottle and it showed impeccable purity and lovely concentration all poised neatly within its classical styling. There is superb complexity too, no doubt leached from the complex soils they’re working with. Cool vineyard and delicious wine - 2017
This was part of a very enjoyable and educational visit with Graeme a couple of weeks back. We tasted the ‘17 from half bottle and it showed impeccable purity and lovely concentration all poised neatly within its classical styling. There is superb complexity too, no doubt leached from the complex soils they’re working with. Cool vineyard and delicious wine - 2017
Jul 26th, 2019
Sampled 4/29/2019 at “Taste of Oakville”
Sampled 4/29/2019 at “Taste of Oakville”
May 12th, 2019
The 2016 MacDonald is a stunning new release, utilizing 100% To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. This downright sexy Cabernet is absolutely singing in its youth. The wine shows incredible richness and complexity with a vibrant mineral backbone. With a sumptuous mouthfeel, the palate reveals sage, black tea, anise, tar and creme de cassis with mocha with lighter wet stone accents. There is an incredible purity of fruit here. Seamless and intense this is an absolutely incredible new wine from this storied family in Napa. Drink 2022-2045- 97
The 2016 MacDonald is a stunning new release, utilizing 100% To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. This downright sexy Cabernet is absolutely singing in its youth. The wine shows incredible richness and complexity with a vibrant mineral backbone. With a sumptuous mouthfeel, the palate reveals sage, black tea, anise, tar and creme de cassis with mocha with lighter wet stone accents. There is an incredible purity of fruit here. Seamless and intense this is an absolutely incredible new wine from this storied family in Napa. Drink 2022-2045- 97
Apr 6th, 2019
Day 1 of Napa in the books!
The ‘16 Macdonald is one of the greatest Napa cabs I've tasted. I've taken time to think on that statement as I didn't want to make a rash judgement after leaving the visit while the glow of the tasting was still fresh. It really is spectacular. Very red & black fruit dominant with black cherry covered dark chocolate...graphite/minerality along with very floral aromatics (violets). Velvet like texture. Describing this young, powerful wine at this age won’t do it justice. It was decanted 8hrs prior to our stop.
They are the definition of hands on. An inspiring and old school style. The walk through the Vineyards was the most informative winery experience I've ever had. I'm sold on not only the wine, but on supporting them.
Top pic: walking through Macdonald’s To-Kalon portion with Alex Macdonald.
Bottom left pic: gnarly cab vine from the mid 1950s!
Day 1 of Napa in the books!
The ‘16 Macdonald is one of the greatest Napa cabs I've tasted. I've taken time to think on that statement as I didn't want to make a rash judgement after leaving the visit while the glow of the tasting was still fresh. It really is spectacular. Very red & black fruit dominant with black cherry covered dark chocolate...graphite/minerality along with very floral aromatics (violets). Velvet like texture. Describing this young, powerful wine at this age won’t do it justice. It was decanted 8hrs prior to our stop.
They are the definition of hands on. An inspiring and old school style. The walk through the Vineyards was the most informative winery experience I've ever had. I'm sold on not only the wine, but on supporting them.
Top pic: walking through Macdonald’s To-Kalon portion with Alex Macdonald.
Bottom left pic: gnarly cab vine from the mid 1950s!
Wow this is the best of all the 2016’s I’ve had. Amazing richness and depth! Hello Tokalon goodbye Beckstoffer......
Wow this is the best of all the 2016’s I’ve had. Amazing richness and depth! Hello Tokalon goodbye Beckstoffer......
1 person found it helpfulDec 13th, 2019
This full body cab is one of the best you'll get in Napa. The unbelievable fruits, balanced tannin and great texture in a Cabernet.
This full body cab is one of the best you'll get in Napa. The unbelievable fruits, balanced tannin and great texture in a Cabernet.
Feb 9th, 2024
Best CAB ever.. the black fruit not over powering
Best CAB ever.. the black fruit not over powering
May 18th, 2020
Amazingly pure and perfect! So complex and exquisitely balanced.
Amazingly pure and perfect! So complex and exquisitely balanced.
Apr 27th, 2019