Their red wine vineyards are located on the east side of Oakville, almost in the middle of the famous vineyards, including Screaming Eagle, Bond's St. Eden, Dalla Vallee, Peter Michael's Haut Paradis, and Joseph Phelps' Bacchus. The grapes are grown organically in three different soils, using a variety of fermentation tanks, and aged in French barrels for about two years (50% new barrels). The red soil, rich in iron, gives the wine its unique character. It is also evident in the taste, with 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
After the difficult 2017 VTG, this was a model year for Napa Valley, perfect in terms of quality and yield.
There was plenty of rain throughout the winter and spring, and a mild early summer with ample sunshine and no heat waves, allowing the cultivation team to exercise adequate care, and the grapes were harvested at the optimal time, in multiple batches, depending on their sugar content and ripeness.
The grapes turned out excellent.
Technical information
Brewing: We use several 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 our own fields, and small barrel fermentation (225 to 500 liters, the grapes are stirred by rotating).
Aging: 54% old French barrels, 38% new French barrels, 4% terracotta amphorae, 4% stainless steel tanks for about 22 months
Tasting Comments
The unique characteristics of the iron-rich red clay soil are also evident in the wine's taste, and the earthy, red fleshy flavors characteristic of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed along with 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: 2018
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Almost 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend Varietals: Cabernet Franc, some Petit Verdot
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVAs, Others: Mt. Veeder
Vineyard: Oakville Estate
Notes: Parker Point 90P Wine Advocate Jan.2021 by Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Winemaker: Natalie Bath
Brewing: Fermented in several types of fermentation tanks, including stainless steel tanks, concrete tanks, and small barrels.
Aging: 54% French barrels (used for several years), 38% new French barrels, 4% amphorae, and 4% stainless steel tanks, 22 months.
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.8%
JAN: 860004052302