Tasting Notes: A powerhouse of rich flavors dark cherries, raspberries, sexy oak, all framed by subtle tannins that add to the lengthy finish. People who know Oakville Ranch talk a lot about the bright orange soils with enormous boulders called core stones. They are part of a major landslide that occurred 200,000 years ago. The wines are big. They're powerful and structured, yet there's also a lushness and a suppleness associated with the soils created through cover crop and organic practices.