Plumpjack Cabernet
Oakville Cabernet, poured and sold on Long Island for decades.
The story behind Plumpjack
PlumpJack began as a San Francisco wine shop in 1992, co-founded by Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty. In 1995 the partners bought the old Villa Mt. Eden property, a 42 acre estate along Oakville Cross Road, and planted the Oakville vineyard that still feeds the flagship Cabernet. In 2000 the winery split its 1997 Reserve Cabernet, bottling half under screw cap, the first premium Napa producer to make that bet against cork taint.
We have carried PlumpJack since the early bottles reached Long Island, and the wine has not softened its stance. Roughly 87 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot and Malbec in the blend, a 3 to 4 day cold soak, then about 19 months in French oak. Blackberry compote, sage, cocoa nib, a plush and velvety middle. Decant it and it rewards you.
Explore the Plumpjack range
Four PlumpJack bottlings reach our shelves, from the flagship Oakville Cabernet to a Merlot, a Syrah and a Chardonnay. Availability shifts with each release.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL | Cabernet Sauvignon | 15.0 to 15.4% ABV | Blackberry compote, sage, cocoa nib, velvety tannin |
| Plumpjack Merlot 750mL | Merlot | Napa Valley red | Plum and dark cherry, soft oak, rounded finish |
| Plumpjack Syrah 07 750mL | Syrah | 2007 vintage red | Black fruit, pepper, smoked meat, firm structure |
| Plumpjack Chardonnay 2008 750mL | Chardonnay | 2008 vintage white | Baked apple, citrus, toasted oak, creamy texture |
| Plumpjack Reserve Cabernet | Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | About 15.4% ABV | Cult collectible, cork and screw cap release |
Which Plumpjack is right for you?
The flagship Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL sits at $159.99 on our shelf, a fair landing spot for an Oakville estate wine that critics have pushed to the top of their lists. The Merlot runs $54.99 and the 2008 Chardonnay and 2007 Syrah each run $49.99, though those three are currently out of stock and worth asking us about. Reserve bottlings sit well above the flagship tier and move through the winery. Call the store and we will tell you what is on hand today.
A benchmark Oakville Cabernet worth cellaring and decanting for a serious dinner.
Softer tannin and plum fruit at half the flagship price.
A 2007 Napa Syrah with bottle age already built in.