Odette Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Odette Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a 750ml Stags Leap District, Napa Valley red wine rated 95+ points by Jeb Dunnuck. Built on an 82% Cabernet Sauvignon backbone with supporting roles from Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, this vintage captures the iron-rich, volcanic character of one of Napa's most celebrated appellations with uncommon precision and aromatic complexity.

Quick Facts: Vintage: 2016  |  Origin: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California  |  Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot  |  Producer: Odette Estate

Production & Heritage

Odette Estate is part of the PlumpJack Group, which acquired the historic Stags Leap District vineyard property in 2012. The 2016 vintage underwent a four-day cold soak at 55°F before fermenting in fully jacketed stainless steel tanks, with macerations lasting six to ten days at a peak temperature of 95°F. Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel, and the final blend was assembled in early spring 2018, then aged an additional fifteen months with minimal racking — a patient approach that allowed the components to integrate fully before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a striking wave of crushed blueberry and black cassis before moving into fragrant layers of fresh lavender, violets, and oolong tea. Deeper still, notes of crushed rock, iron, and potpourri surface, signaling the mineral-rich Stags Leap terroir.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is lush with ripe black cherry and warm cassis, framed by polished, ripe tannins. The mid-palate introduces tobacco leaf, dark cocoa powder, and earthy leather. A thread of bright acidity keeps the wine structured and focused through a dense, layered core of dark fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and detailed, carrying persistent mineral notes alongside fading echoes of chocolate-covered cherry and crushed gravel. Fine-grained tannins linger without turning grippy, pointing toward continued development with cellaring.

How to Drink Odette 2016

Decant for at least sixty to ninety minutes before serving at 62–65°F to allow the full aromatic spectrum to unfold. This wine rewards patient sipping from a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. It pairs naturally with grilled bone-in ribeye, where the wine's tannin structure and dark fruit cut through the fat. Braised short ribs with a red wine reduction echo the wine's earthy depth. Aged hard cheeses like a three-year Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano complement its savory undertones without overwhelming the fruit.

Best For

• Cellaring for special milestone celebrations — the 2016 vintage has strong aging potential
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley collector exploring Stags Leap District wines
• Anchoring a Cabernet Sauvignon vertical tasting alongside other PlumpJack Group estates
• Pairing with a prime steak dinner or holiday roast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Odette 2016 taste like? Odette 2016 delivers concentrated black currant and blueberry fruit supported by tobacco, dark cocoa, and crushed rock minerality. Ripe, polished tannins and balanced acidity give the wine a structured yet approachable profile.

How does Odette 2016 compare to Cade 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are produced under the PlumpJack Group umbrella, but Odette is grown exclusively in the Stags Leap District, known for its volcanic soils and signature iron-laced minerality, while Cade sources from Howell Mountain, producing a more tannic, mountain-driven expression. Odette tends toward more floral aromatics and mid-palate elegance, whereas Cade emphasizes power and density.

Is Odette 2016 good for cellaring? Yes — the 2016 vintage's ripe tannin structure, fresh acidity, and concentrated fruit suggest a drinking window that extends well through the late 2020s and potentially beyond, though it is already drinking beautifully with proper decanting.

Where is Odette 2016 made? Odette Estate is located in the Stags Leap District AVA of Napa Valley, California, an appellation renowned for its volcanic and alluvial soils that produce age-worthy, mineral-driven Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Odette 2016? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's tannin and dark fruit intensity. Braised lamb shanks echo its earthy, herbal notes. Mushroom risotto highlights the wine's savory, mineral side. Aged Gruyère or Comté mirrors the cocoa and tobacco undertones. Dark chocolate desserts with a touch of sea salt work with the finish's lingering richness.

What sizes does Odette 2016 come in? The Odette Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Odette 2016 worth the price? Odette positions as a premium Stags Leap District estate Cabernet, and the 95+ point rating from Jeb Dunnuck places it among the top-scoring wines in its appellation for the 2016 vintage, offering strong value relative to neighboring estates at similar or higher price points.

Why Odette 2016?

The 2016 vintage is widely regarded as one of the strongest recent years across Napa Valley, and Odette's meticulous winemaking — including an extended cold soak, controlled maceration, and patient barrel aging with minimal racking — extracted exceptional depth from the estate's Stags Leap District fruit. Jeb Dunnuck's 95+ point score confirms the wine's standing among the district's elite. The supporting cast of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot adds aromatic complexity and mid-palate richness that pure Cabernet bottlings often lack. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a benchmark expression of Stags Leap terroir from a standout vintage, this is a wine that delivers on both immediate pleasure and long-term reward.