Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromatic and vivid with blackberries, fresh mushrooms, blackcurrants and flowers. Full-bodied, firm and very silky. Tightly wound ball of silk. Extremely long and linear. Fine-grained. Lasts for minutes. Reminiscent of the great Napa reds of the 1950s and 1960s. Best to taste in 2025 but superb now. Greatest Bryant ever.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The flagship wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, has an amazing, pure, crème de cassis set of aromatics and flavors, an inky purple color, gorgeous purity, full-bodied opulence and all of the characteristics one expects from this great, first-growth quality vineyard on a steep hillside on Pritchard Hill. The finish goes on for a good 45-50 seconds and the wine shows slightly more structure than many 2014s, but is super-rich and concentrated, with at least 25-30 years of future drinking ahead of it as well as evolution.
Rating: 97+ -
Vinous
Bryant's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon has reached its first plateau of maturity in style. Distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon inflections open in the bouquet, making a strong first impression. Exotic and layered in the glass, the 2014 is superb. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, new leather and pronounced torrefaction notes build. Today, I find the new oak imprint a bit strong. Otherwise, this is a terrific wine from Bryant.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.