Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (Napa Valley) 2001

In my experience Pine Ridge wines are rarely mind-blowing, but they are incredibly reliable and good value for money. The sub-regional AVA designated wines, such as Oakville and Rutherford, are especially good values. They are pleasant to drink when young but have good potential to improve with cellaring. At age 12, this Oakville bottle is still showing as a very young wine. It's a medium ruby with a slight hint of brick red at the rim. Strong bouquet leaning towards black fruits, such as black currant, black cherry, prunes, and plums. Ditto the palate. There is a surprising amount of tannins on the finish, leaving one's palate quite puckered. Sadly this was my only bottle, as I suspect it would have continued to improve for many years. Grade: A-