I just released our first 2014 Napa Cabernet, Lot 601, for $32. https://chwine.com/lot-601-2014-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon/#review
Very vibrant/electric/lively Cabernet (14.3% alc) from the northwest corner of Oak Knoll in the bench land alluvial’s draining out of the Mt. Veeder/Maycamas range. I think this will have broad appeal and is very approachable for a young cabernet, which seems to be a feature of the vintage as we see across the board with our 2014’s (of which there are at least 7 - about half of which we produced ourselves vs spot market) From the email release:
From Antonio Galloni’s Vinous – “Napa Valley’s producers have a highly promising vintage on their hands. The best 2014s are aromatically expressive, rich and energetic, with striking balance and plenty of potential. Stylistically, the 2014s remind me of 2013s, with their dark profile and intensity, but the 2014s have less tannin, structure and overall weight…my expectation is that 2014 will be close to quality to 2013.”
What can I tell you about our 2014 Napa Cabernets? Right out of the gate, the vineyards saw about as balanced and perfect a fruit set as you could get with a picture perfect summer and ludicrously early yet leisurely harvest. The resulting Cabernets are fantastic, with a freshness and vibrancy (read: juiciness) that makes them accessible now, while having the depth of flavor, balance and structure to age beautifully. The wines have lower alcohols and considerably smoother tannin structures than the 2013s, and are far more expressive in their youth with delightful, juicy fruit cores. Drink now or hold for another decade or more if you like.
The first release of our exciting Fall Cabernet Countdown starts with Lot 601 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Oak Knoll matters most when you get into the northwest corner of the appellation, where you’ll same volcanically derived, stony, gravelly, alluvial fanned creek drainages that comprise the Oakville and Rutherford benches between Highway 29 and the Mayacamas Mountains. In fact, I would argue this area of Oak Knoll is really an extension of the Rutherford/Oakville/Yountville benches west of Highway 29, just a couple degree-days cooler.
Lot 601 is sourced from an estate vineyard in the northwest corner of Oak Knoll (near the estate vineyards for Trefethen, Groth, Beckstoffer and Shiflett) and directly from the source winery’s $90+ Reserve program. It is an excellent example of alluvial benchland Cabernet, starting with dusty plum notes (“Rutherford Dust,” anyone?), pretty acacia flower, and cherry/blackcurrant/blackberry fruit. With just a little bit of air, it blooms a gorgeous perfume of sweet, spicy florals, rich plum, and electric cherry and blackcurrant notes all riding a gravelly spine. Absolutely gorgeous and notable for its bright, well defined fruit. On the palate it’s densely textured, yet juicy and energetic with chocolatey plum, cherry, blackcurrant and black pepper notes suavely fleshed out in a long, sweeping finish that foretells of much more to come. The oak integration here is perfect, and while the wine is beautiful now, it definitely benefits from air and will drink much better than the 2013s did this time last year. The 2014s are amply built with energetic fruit, freshness and approachability, with exciting down the road potential.