The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville from The Setting Wines comes from the Skellenger vineyard and was aged 24 months in 80% new and 20% one-year-old Taransaud and Darnajou barrels. This vintage offers purity and finesse, with a perfume that opens slowly to violets, blueberries, graphite, dark chocolate and sparks of aniseed and exotic spices. The palate is intense with a velvety texture opposed by juicy lift and mineral sparks, finishing on a violet note. Only 200 cases were made and despite the $100+ price tag, compared to the price of its Oakville neighbors, it offers great value this vintage.

Coming from the talented Jesse Katz, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as rocking Oakville chocolatey currant and darker berry fruits and a full-bodied, deep, richly textured style on the palate. With a solid amount of background oak, ample tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors, building tannins, and outstanding length, it's a serious Cabernet that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and see its 20th birthday in fine form.

This is gorgeous, with Oakville's textbook display of broad, fleshy plum sauce, cassis and blackberry preserves fruit, underscored by warm loam, menthol and licorice notes. Offers serious tannic grip, but it's fine-grained and inlaid beautifully, with a long finish. Best from 2022 through 2034.