Groth Oakcross Oakville Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2020
Groth Oakcross Oakville Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2020 is a 13.9% ABV, 750mL Oakville red blend — 81% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Reserve blocks of Groth's Oakville Estate, with 14% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in French oak. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 13.9%
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2020
- Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
- Appellation: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon from the Reserve blocks of the Oakville Estate; Merlot from the Hillview Estate Vineyard; additional Merlot and Petit Verdot from grower partners
- Ageing: 21 months in French oak barrels, 70% new
- Production: 1,800 cases
The Name the Estate Almost Kept
Oakcross was the original name given to Groth's Oakville Estate Vineyard when it was planted in 1973. After Dennis and Judy Groth purchased the property in 1981, they at one point considered using Oakcross as their brand name, until a family member convinced them to use their own — and as the name of this red blend, Oakcross symbolises the family's foundation and the homesite of Groth Vineyards & Winery. Each vintage the blend is guided by the conditions of the growing season and the winemakers' intuition; for 2020 the Cabernet came from the Reserve blocks of the Oakville Estate, the Merlot from the Hillview Estate, with further Merlot and Petit Verdot from distinguished grower partners. Browse the Groth collection, more red wine, and the wider wine shelves at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Director of Winegrowing Ted Henry's notes for the 2020: a surge of ripe blackberry, black plum and cherry cola on the nose, giving way to earthy, savoury undertones of forest floor, cedar, Earl Grey tea and wet clay. The rich palate is lifted and energetic — juicy black raspberry, blackberry and red currant framed by fine-grained tannins — and black fruits echo through the finish with warm baking spice and chalkboard minerality.
How to Enjoy
Decant it and give it time in the glass — the winery notes this wine reveals its depth gradually. Its own pairing suggestion is succulent, slow-cooked dishes: beef cheeks alongside winter root vegetables are the textbook match for its structure and dark fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Groth Oakcross 2020? A Bordeaux-style blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in French oak barrels (70% new).
What does Oakcross mean? It was the original name of Groth's Oakville Estate Vineyard, planted in 1973 — Dennis and Judy Groth nearly used it as their brand name after buying the property in 1981.
Where does the fruit for Oakcross 2020 come from? The Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Reserve blocks of Groth's Oakville Estate, the Merlot principally from the family's Hillview Estate Vineyard, and additional Merlot and Petit Verdot from grower partners in the Oakville area.
What food pairs with Groth Oakcross 2020? Rich, slow-cooked meats — the winery suggests slow-cooked beef cheeks with winter root vegetables; grilled meats and aged cheeses also suit its tannin and depth.
Reserve-block Cabernet under the estate's first name — secure Groth Oakcross Proprietary Red 2020 at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.