Winemaker Notes
Like the vintage itself, the 2014 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon is defined by freshness, varietal definition, and a bright, focused demeanor. The core Cabernet Sauvignon component expresses itself beautifully here, with a burnished texture, black fruit flavors and aromas, and hints of crushed stones and freshly dug soil. The addition of 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot adds layers of complexity and enjoyment to the wine, with notes of pencil shavings, cardamom, and dried flowers. This young wine benefits from a pre-service decanting, and will continue to open and expand over the next 10-15 years.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously beautiful wine. Ample and resonant in the glass, it offers sumptuous fruit along with hints of graphite, sage, menthol and licorice that develop in the glass. The 2014 shows a bit of bottle bouquet, as it should given its age, and yet it remains a very young wine. This is such a pleasant surprise.
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James Suckling
Walnut and currant aromas follow through to a medium to full body, velvety tannins and a savory finish. Lots of lovely fruit and balance here. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The Napa Valley is one of Cabernet Sauvignon's greatest epic centers in the wine world. Far too often, the wines come across as heavy or ponderous. While the power of this grape variety is present, so is the alcohol and tannins. Fortunately, the 2014 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon rises above it all. TASTING NOTES: This wine is beautiful and stylish. Its aromas and flavors of red and black fruit, as well as a shading of oak, making it a perfect pairing partner with a standing rib roast. (Tasted: September 17, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes from Coombsville, is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A classic, cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of minerality, spice box, underbrush, forest floor and earth with red and blackcurrants in the background. The wine is medium to full-bodied and tightly knit compared to the other Ariettas and therefore should be cellared for several more years and drunk over the following 15-20. As much coaxing as I gave this wine, it remained somewhat reticent, but promising. 90+ points
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Situated in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley in the Vaca range, the vineyards of the Coombsville AVA enjoy a long growing season mitigated by cool, San Pablo Bay fog.