Patria Oakville Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2021

Tony Biagi, like his wines, is boisterous, complex, loud, and un-filtered - in the best way! He has a stacked résumé which includes past cellar positions at Duckhorn, PlumpJack, and CADE, the current winemaker role at Amici Cellars, Clos du Val, and Hourglass, and the consulting-winemaker role at Lasseter (Sonoma), Jada Estate (Paso Robles), and The Vineyardist (Diamond Mountain). Known affectionately amongst locals as The Golden Bear, it is no secret that Tony pours his big heart and kind soul into every barrel he touches. Tony's personal label, Patria, means 'native' or ''homeland'. The label boasts a golden bear, and both the name and the image is an homage to Tony's multigenerational history in California. He is ruthless when it comes to sourcing fruit for Patria, as he should be. After all, these are more than just wines, they are special collaborations between friends and members of the community, a convergence of livelihood and joined brilliance fueled by shared passion. It comes as no surprise that Tony looks to the almighty Oakville appellation to produce the pillar of the Patria portfolio, his Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. 

A stone's throw from the iconic Dalla Valle Vineyards in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, Oakville Ranch may be the highest vineyard in the Oakville Appellation at 1,400 feet in elevation. First purchased by Robert and Mary Miner in the mid-1980s, it is a spectacular site that is farmed organically by vineyard expert Phil Coturri. The property itself spans 330 acres, yet only 75-acres of it are planted to vine in its rocky, volcanic soils. Tony first fell in love with the fruit produced on the Oakville Ranch property while working for Duckhorn Vineyards. Fortunate to work with many of Napa's most revered vineyards, Oakville Ranch was always the crown jewel in Tony's eyes, and he knew that when the time came to make his own wine, this spectacular site would be his first stop. In 2013, Tony's dream came true when he signed a long-term contract to purchase grapes for Patria. The volcanic, rocky soils combined with the elevation, produce grapes that are rich in color and flavor while having wonderful natural acidity even after long periods of hangtime. 

Robust aromas of black cherries, blackberries and cedar box followed with hints of rose petal and iron filings, a telltale sign of the eastern hills of Oakville. On the palate, flavors of cocoa nibs, herbes de provence, warm berry pie filling and hints of pipe tobacco are followed by rich, sweet tannins and long, chewy finish.