Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Despite having been produced from a Loire Valley clone, this one straddles the line between north and south and delivers both the fullness and the range that remind also of Right Bank Bordeaux. Its central fruit says Loire in its red cherry, slightly ripe raspberry intimations, while its structure and oak raise the stakes in terms of serious intent and obvious age worthiness. In short, we are fans whether the drinking happens today or later. Two-Fourteen continues to be a game changer in the perception of what local Cabernet Franc can be.
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Wine Enthusiast
Named for a Loire Valley clone, this New World wine aspires to an Old World sensibility and achieves it in its floral invitation and bright, peppery overtones. Coiled within its thickness of tannin and dense cherry are ethereal, earthy whispers of intrigue and acidity. This is a lively, lovely wine.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.