PlumpJack Winery
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley
2007
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2014-2035).
In 2026, the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is 12 years into a peak window that opened in 2014 and extends through 2035. The wine is fully at peak, deeply in what can be described as the sweet spot of its drinking arc, with nine years remaining in the window before a gradual decline begins after 2035. Collectors holding bottles should plan to drink with some deliberateness over the next three to five years: this wine is not going to improve significantly from here, and while it will hold comfortably through 2035, it is at its most complete and pleasurable today. The aromatics have evolved from the flamboyant primary fruit of youth into a deeply compelling secondary profile of dried dark fruit, espresso, cedar, and spice - the exact character that Napa Cabernet collectors seek in a wine with this kind of bottle age. The 2007 Napa vintage, rated 97 points by Wine Spectator and described as a textbook year of small-crop complexity and plush tannins, delivered a structural foundation that has served this wine exceptionally well over 19 years. There is no urgency to open it tomorrow, but there is every reason to plan intentionally.
The ‘07 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Twelve years into a proven 21-year peak, the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve is at full maturity: drink with intention now and through 2035 before this textbook Napa vintage begins its descent.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2007 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep garnet with brick-toned edges that announce its 19 years of development, yet the color remains remarkably concentrated for a Napa Cabernet at this age. The nose is a study in harmonious complexity: the primary dark fruit that characterizes young Oakville Cabernet has evolved into something more nuanced, with dried blackberry, cassis preserve, and plum compote layered beneath cedar cigar box, roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and a spice note that evokes dried herbs and five-spice. Violet florality persists as a fragrant bridge between fruit and earth. The palate is full-bodied and expansive, built on a foundation of plush, fully resolved tannins that carry no roughness after 19 years in the cellar. Opulent layers of dark fruit, chocolate, and tobacco leaf unfold across the mid-palate, culminating in a seamless, luxurious finish with remarkable length. This is Napa Cabernet at its textbook finest: a wine of confidence and generosity that rewards the patience of those who put it down in 2007 and waited nearly two decades for this moment.
The 2007 vintage
The 2007 vintage in Napa Valley is widely regarded as one of the finest of the decade, earning 97 points from Wine Spectator with the characterization of a textbook year defined by a small crop, ideal ripening conditions, and wines of complexity and plush tannins. The growing season was unusually well-ordered: a moderate spring enabled even bud break and flowering, followed by a long, warm, dry summer that allowed extended hang time without heat spikes or disruptive rain events through harvest. The small berry size resulting from the naturally stressed crop concentrated flavors without sacrificing freshness, producing wines of extraordinary density and balance. The Oakville appellation, where PlumpJack farms its Reserve fruit, benefited especially from the even ripening conditions, as the volcanic and alluvial soils of this central Napa bench delivered small, concentrated clusters with impeccable phenolic maturity. The 2007 remains one of Oakville's benchmark years and one of the best-aging Napa vintages of the modern era.
About PlumpJack Winery
PlumpJack Winery in Oakville was founded in 1995 as a partnership between Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty, and is known for rich, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the estate's terroir across both Oakville valley-floor and Mayacamas mountain-slope blocks. The winery made wine history with its 2001 Reserve Cabernet: PlumpJack released that vintage simultaneously under cork and screwcap in a deliberate experiment to test long-term aging differences, with results published years later showing the screwcap version actually developed greater complexity. This willingness to challenge conventional wisdom characterizes the estate's approach to winemaking. The Reserve program sources fruit from the estate's most concentrated blocks and pursues a style of opulent, full-bodied Napa Cabernet with polished tannins and extended barrel aging of 22 months in new French oak. Production of the Reserve is kept small to maintain concentration and selectivity.
From the cellar: pair with
Dry-aged New York strip with roasted garlic butter
The wine's plush, resolved tannins and dark fruit depth find a natural counterpart in the marbling and crust of dry-aged beef; roasted garlic echoes the wine's cedar and savory spice notes.
Rack of venison with blackberry reduction
The wine's dark fruit profile and opulent mid-palate concentration align precisely with venison's gamey richness, while a blackberry sauce mirrors the wine's core cassis and extends the pairing's length.
Double-cream brie with walnut crostini
The wine's full-bodied plush structure and espresso-laced finish find a softening counterpart in rich double cream; walnut crostini adds a bitter edge that complements the wine's dark chocolate note.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65F (17-18C)
- Decanting
- 2026 (peak yr 12, 9 yr remaining): decant 30-45 minutes only; tannins are fully resolved and aromatics are already open. Avoid over-aeration at this stage of development.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Napa Valley, California, USA
Frequently Asked
How much time does the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon have left in its peak window?
In 2026, the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve is 12 years into a peak window that runs through 2035 - nine years remaining. The wine is at its most complete and pleasurable right now, fully at peak maturity with resolved tannins, complex secondary aromatics, and a seamless finish. It will hold through 2035 without significant decline, but collectors should begin drinking with intention rather than continuing to cellar. Open it now and enjoy through the early 2030s for the best experience.
How long should I decant the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve?
At 19 years of age in 2026, the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve benefits from a moderate decant of 30 to 45 minutes only. The wine does not need extended aeration - its tannins are fully resolved and its aromatics are already complex and fully open. Longer decanting risks accelerating oxidative evolution in a wine at this stage of development. Pour gently, leave any sediment in the bottle, and enjoy at a temperature of 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
What foods pair best with the 2007 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon?
This wine calls for preparations that can match its opulent, full-bodied structure and complex secondary aromatics of espresso, dark chocolate, and cedar. Dry-aged beef cuts, venison with dark fruit sauces, and rich braised preparations are ideal. Double-cream cheeses and walnut preparations work well alongside the wine's espresso and chocolate notes. The wine's plush tannins and generosity mean it can handle a wide range of hearty preparations without being overshadowed. Explore more Napa pairings at our [Napa Valley wine guide](/wines/region/napa-valley).
How does the 2007 Napa vintage compare to other PlumpJack years, and how should I store remaining bottles?
The 2007 Napa vintage earned 97 points from Wine Spectator and is widely regarded as one of the finest of the decade, characterized by a small crop, perfect ripening conditions, and wines of depth and plush tannin. For remaining bottles, store horizontally at 55F (13C) with 60 to 70 percent relative humidity. Drink within the next nine years (by 2035) for peak enjoyment. Explore other top Napa Cabernet Sauvignons in our [Cabernet Sauvignon collection](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon).