The 125,000 case winery is located in Oakville (Napa Valley) at 7850 Silverado Trail. David Miner is the President, Jack Edwards the Direct Sales Manager and Gary Brookman, formerly with Phelps, the winemaker. The estate vineyards are located a short distance down the road at 7781 Silverado Trail, 1000 feet above the Silverado Trail. The 334 acre estate is planted to 35 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 acres of Chardonnay, 10 acres of Merlot and 5 acres of Cab Franc.

The Oakville Ranch Vineyards are the highest in the Oakville appellation and consist of a rocky volcanic soil. The terroir is exceptional for growing Cabernet. Since the first vintage in1989, Oakville Ranch has been producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends in California. They are included in the Alchemist’s "Top Ten" Napa Valley Cabernet producers.

The big news is that David Miner has initiated his own new label, Miner Family Vineyard, that is also produced at the same facility, now owned by David. Judging from my tasting of the 1996 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon (see Future Releases http://science.csustan.edu/alchemist/future.htm), I predict this label will be highly sought after in the months to come.

All wines were tasted in January 1999.

1997 Merlot, Oakville Appellation, estate, Barrel Sample, not final blend, 90-94 pts, C4+N3+?F4A3T4E4?: This rich, tannic wine is one of the most muscular, most powerful Merlots I have ever tasted. According to Jack Edwards, "this wine may be blended with 10-15% Cab and used to make a new Miner Family wine." Jack and I experimented by adding some Cab to the Merlot. The blend was much softer and, of course, more purple in color. Interesting.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Appellation estate, Barrel Sample, not final blend, 94-98 pts, C5-N3?F4+A3T4+E4?: This lot comes from 30 year old vines planted on St. George root stock. Purple/red in color, this is a tannic MONSTER. Tannic but loaded with fruit. Will be blended with another section of Cab. Fabulous potential.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Schlein Vineyard, Napa Valley Appellation, Barrel Sample, not final blend, 95-99 pts, C4N3?F4+A3T3+E4+: Nose is cedar/closed. This very rich wine glided through my mouth and down my throat effortlessly. (Oops! I forgot to spit.) It possesses a bold elegance seldom found in 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Schlein will make up one component of the 1997 Miner Family Cabernet Sauvignon. A 50/50 blend of this wine and the one above were "tested" by Jack and myself and found to be—Wow!! I’m looking forward to tasting the final blend of this potentially fabulous wine.