Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very fresh aromas of violets, stones and sweet tobacco follow through to a medium body, fine and integrated tannins and a beautiful finish. Undertones of walnuts. A super 2014. Elegant yet structured. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014s were also harvested early at Kapcsándy, largely finished before the end of September, much like 2015. The one difference is that 2015 was a tiny crop, with significantly less production than 2014, which was generous as well as early. The 2014 Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot aged in 80% new French oak. It is soft, round, juicy, front-end loaded, sexy and lush. The wine’s gentle tannins and overall plush, forward style with chocolate and blackcurrants in abundance, as well as a touch of oak, make for a sensual wine to drink over the next 15 or more years. To give an example of how big 2014 was compared to 2015, there are 450 cases of this cuvée made in 2015 and 730 in 2014.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
One of Napa Valley's most historic sub-appellations, Yountville spreads through some of the valley's ideal cooler sites and enjoys success with a handful of different and significant grape varieties.
Syrah competes strongly with Cabernet Sauvignon here for optimal vineyard real estate followed by Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
This sub-AVA of Napa Valley is rich in the history that makes Napa Valley what it is today, and not just for red wines. Moët & Chandon entered the California winemaking business via Yountville in 1973 with the establishment Domaine Chandon. Their goal has always been to produce top quality méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Christian Moueix, originally responsible for managing Chateau Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus in Pomerol, arrived in Yountville in the early 1980s. He formed a partnership with Rohin Lail and Marcia Smith, inheritors of Napanook vineyard from their father John Daniel of Inglenook in Rutherford. In 1995 Moueix became sole owner of Napanook and chose the name Dominus, which today produces some of Napa’s highest scoring, age-worthy Bordeaux Blends.