Their own vineyards for red wine are located on the east side of Oakville, almost in the middle of the famous vineyards. They include Screaming Eagle, Bond's St. Eden, Dalla Vallee, Peter Michael's Haut Paradis, and Joseph Phelps' Bacchus. The grapes are grown organically using several different types of fermentation tanks and aged in French barrels for about two years (50% new barrels). The characteristics of the red soil, which is rich in iron, are also reflected in the taste of the wine, which has a full body and concentrated tannins.
Rad launches new Crossroads brand
Ladd Estate was founded in 1996 by the late Leslie Ladd, who purchased his own vineyards in an area of Napa Valley where some of the finest wineries are located, at the intersection of Oakville Crossroads and Silverado Trail, east of the national highway in Oakville.
With the goal of competing with Chateau Haut-Brion in Bordeaux, the winery has received high praise thanks to its excellent terroir and the relay of the baton between renowned winemakers.
The wines are made entirely from their own vineyards, with the red wine coming from the renowned wine-producing region of Oakville and the white wine coming from their own vineyards on Mount Veeder, at the foot of the mountains west of Oakville, where they are grown organically.
Leslie's daughter Samantha returned to the winery after completing her internship at Chateau Margaux in 2015, inheriting her father's passion and the wines from the winery's vineyards, and is breathing new life into the winery together with her new team.
One of Samantha's new initiatives is that, although all of the grapes except for the three selected wines for the Rad brand (one white and two reds) have been sold until now, she will release red and white wines under the "Crossroads" brand from the second selection, following the example of Chateau Margaux's Pavilion Rouge de Chateau Margaux.
Crossroads wines have been made by winemakers from several generations ago, but the label has been redesigned to be completely new.
Crossroads is made entirely from grapes grown in our own vineyards, and the vinification process is exactly the same as Rudd, with the wines separated during blending and selection, and then further aged and bottled.
Vintage Information
We were worried about what would happen after the fantastic 2018 VTG, but 2019 has been another fantastic year.
Plenty of rain in the winter, a mild spring and summer, with a few heat waves but cooler conditions towards the end of the summer, allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and enjoy a long growing season.
Harvesting began on September 25th and was waited until the second half of October to pick the grapes at the right time according to the characteristics of each plot, resulting in beautiful color, power and rich tannins.
Technical information
They use several different types of fermentation tanks, including stainless steel tanks of different shapes suited to the characteristics of the soil and grapes, concrete tanks mixed with crushed rocks from their own vineyards, and small barrel fermentation (225-500 liters, the grapes are stirred by rotating).
The wine is aged for approximately 22 months in 54% French barrels that have been used for several years and 46% new French barrels.
Tasting Comments
The unique characteristics of the iron-rich red clay soil are also evident in the wine's flavor, with the earthy, red fleshy flavors characteristic of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon being enjoyed alongside the grapes' natural fruitiness (with hints of blueberry and strawberry).
Full body, deep colour and concentrated tannins.
It can be enjoyed now and will age well.
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend: Cabernet Franc, Malbec, some Petit Verdot
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVA, Other: Oakville
Vineyard: Oakville Estate
Winemaker: Natalie Bath
Brewing: Fermented in several types of fermentation tanks, including stainless steel tanks, concrete tanks, and small barrels.
Aging: 22 months in French barrels (46% new barrels)
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.9%
JAN: 860004052302