2009 Ovid Red
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Tasting notes
Bright, full, deep ruby. Very sexy, musky nose conveys liqueur-like ripeness to the aromas of black fruits, licorice, menthol and minerals; a faint leesy quality adds nuance without distracting from the fruit. Plush, sweet, highly concentrated and seamless; this wine was a bit strict in the early going but today it really captures the creamy side of this vintage. Perhaps most impressive on the slowly building finish, which features suave tannins and a firming touch of graphite minerality. Really expands on the palate with air. Utterly delicious today but capable of holding for at least another decade. (14.8% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Ovid is another of the more voluptuous wines in this vertical. Silky tannins and an overall impression of creaminess stand out. Even with all of its depth and ripeness, the 2009 remains fresh, vibrant and capable of drinking well for another decade-plus. Hints of sweet tobacco, menthol and licorice add shades of nuance. The 2009 is a wine to enjoy for its racy curves and flamboyant personality. Today, the 2009 is super-impressive. In many ways, the 2009 also represents an inflection point in the estate’s early history. It was the first year the estate moved to farming the property block-by-block, rather than as one large piece of land. Specifically, decisions on pruning, irrigation and crop thinning were made with much more rigor and focus than in years prior.
The 2009 Ovid is stunningly beautiful. At times it shows a little more depth, power and richness than the Hexameter, but both wines are compelling. Endless layers of fruit saturate the palate as this rich, intense wine conquers the heart and intellect. A totally vivid wine, the 2009 is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Over the time I followed it, the 2009 gained finesse and elegance in the glass, which bodes quite well for the future. Intense graphite, crushed rocks and pencil shaving nuances add energy to the polished, huge finish. The blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. Ovid keeps raising the bar with this drop-dead gorgeous set of new releases. Owners Dana Johnson and Mark Nelson have spared no expense in their pursuit to make world-class wines. These new releases are a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality. This year I also tasted two of the ‘Experiment’ series wines, which bear creative names inspired by Dana Johnson’s background in Library Sciences. The talented Austin Peterson makes the wines, Andy Erickson consults and David Abreu manages the vineyards, but what really counts is what is in the bottle. The results so far from this young property have been nothing less than stellar. Tel. (707) 963-3850; www.ovidvineyards.com