Reserved Reds | Spring 2025
Bold reds to savor as the sun emerges and the flower return. Their deep, warm flavors embody the essence of the good life. Enjoy this selection of delicious vintages & library exclusives while the weather shifts into the warmer seasons.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, 2019, 2020
One of the classics. We create an approachable Cab with fruit sourced from Lodi & Paso Robles, California. Gentle handling & barrel aging are key elements in maintaining fruit-forward flavor, and bold, yet soft tannins.
Enjoy this vintage trio as a vertical tasting, noticing the nuances in flavor created by unique growing seasons. While efforts are made in the vineyard to balance environmental factors, winemakers and growers are at the mercy of Mother Nature to some extent. An excellent warm growing season will produce rich, fruity characteristics, while a cooler season may hint at more earthy characteristics.
Each of these vintages are jammy, with round fruit character. In our 2018 vintage, you might pick up on the vegetal notes of a cooler season, accompanied with flavors of raspberry, black currant, and oaky characteristics.
Share a bottle with friends at a sunset dinner. Serve with bold flavors, such as red meats, or stuffed portabellas.
Crimson Cabernet 2014
This long-time tasting-room favorite is quite the unique find. The last of its vintage, it's produced from a rare hybrid-cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Norton, and carries rich berry and oak flavors with sweet cherry pie aromas. This full-bodied wine has light, supple tannins best for enjoying now rather than aging. It makes a decadent addition to a dinner party or fun way to elevate an evening around the fire.
Casse-Tête 2022
This Bordeaux-style blend is our newest dry red wine. Fruit harvested at peak ripeness from Washington state is crushed and sent straight to our tanks for warm fermentation, and followed by a secondary malolactic fermentation. In order to maintain strong fruit-forward characteristics, this blend is aged primarily in stainless steel. The name “Casse-Tête” is French for “puzzle” or “brain teaser” to symbolize its unique blend of fruit which influences color, intensity, flavor, aroma, tannin, and structure. The 2022 is our inaugural vintage, full of rich flavors of cherry, black currant, blueberry, cocoa, vanilla, and clove, with youthful-yet-smooth tannins. Pair with a home-cooking date night. Steak, beef bourguignon, or aged cheddar will make this wine shine.
Shiraz Reserve surprise either 2013 or 2015 vintage
Shiraz Reserve is a star of the wine list. French Camp Vineyards in Paso Robles, CA provides the fruit for this bold, yet balanced red. Our Shiraz Reserve is aged in French oak barrels, giving us caramels, vanillas, and toast as a contrast to Shiraz’s bright spice and fruit. These vintages are a balanced, smooth wine that goes perfectly with lakeside lounging, and a rich, hearty dinner on the deck. Due to the small allotments of these vintages, club members are surprised with either the 2013 or 2015 vintage.
Farewell Creekbend: A Letter from Bill
The Creekbend Vineyard era has come to an end. For over 30 years, it played a vital role in Oliver history, teaching us invaluable lessons about grape growing in the eastern United States. While some varieties didn’t thrive as expected, others flourished, producing exceptional wines. I will always cherish the memories—the challenges and the successes.
Reserved Reds | Fall 2024
The rich flavors and warming nature of well-balanced dry red wines suit winter well. We are thrilled to share this curated selection of Oliver Winery’s library wines with you as you cozy up with this over the chilly months to come. Special treats this time: three vintages of our Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a first taste of our delicious new blend, Casse Tête.