Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley Reserve 2009

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$125 list] From the winery’s estate vineyard, on the eastern side of the Oakville appellation, this Cab is incredibly lush and delicious. It dazzles with rich blackberry, cherry pie, currant and cassis liqueur flavors, perfectly accented by sweet, smoky oak. It’s soft in tannins, yet ageworthy. Alcohol 14.9%. (12/31/12)"

92 points Stephen Tanzer (Vinous): "Bright medium ruby. Lively if discreet scents of blackberry, cassis, mocha, Baker's chocolate and graphite minerality; some medicinal and herbal notes emerged with air. Quite suave and vinous, with its dark berry, licorice and spice flavors enlivened by bright acidity. An herbal element adds lift and life to the middle palate without impinging on the fruit. Finishes with well-buffered, building tannins and lovely rising length. A sophisticated Cabernet and a big success for the vintage. Drink: 2021-2036. (Jul 2019)"

91 points and 'Very highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "Medium-dark ruby; attractive, herbal, spicy, cedary, sweet black cherry and dark berry fruit aroma with notes of graphite and toasty oak; full body; forward, rich, textured, firmly structured, dark currant and blackberry fruit flavors with good depth and a hint of dark chocolate; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Developed depth and complexity as it aired in the glass, but still rather hard and needing a good several more years of bottle aging. 14.9% alcohol; 3,500 cases; blended with 5% Merlot; released October 2012. (Nov 2012)"