Winemaker Notes
Lang & Reed Two-Fourteen Cabernet Franc 2018 was a typical, easy going vintage in Napa Valley, which produced a wine of stature. A very rich, deep red color withsilky legs coats the glass. An exotic mix of dark berry fruit, dried herbs, and violets jump from the wine. On the palate,the berry mixes with dark plum and is rich with a touch of Swiss chocolate and note of toasted vanilla. The vinous flavorsare opulent and silky with mouthwatering acidity and smooth silky tannins. This vintage showcases a substantial versionof the Two-Fourteen that stays in pleasing balance and with intriguing complexity. Luscious to drink right now withhearty fare but suitably structured to age well for many years
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Black berry, black chocolate, lavender, and rose petal aromas. Full body, firm and silky texture with a length and focus. Goes on for minutes. Beautiful now but will improve with age.
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Decanter
Gorgeous aromas of dusty black currants, cherry, and rich chocolate notes, along with sumptuous earth. Medium-bodied with elegant red-toned fruit, brambly raspberry, rich loamy soils with elongated satiny tannins, spicy cedarwood, and a long, controlled and lovely finish. Just delicious.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Less dramatic than the previously reviewed 2019 version, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Two-Fourteen is still an excellent wine. It might even be a touch more complex, with fine, leafy shadings over a core of mixed berries. It's medium to full-bodied, silky in feel and long on the finish, with intricate herbal nuances dancing in and out among fresh raspberries.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Franc Two-Fourteen (all Clone 214 Cabernet Franc) has a deep purple hue as well as a juicy, incredibly floral style in its red and blue fruits and notes of spring flowers, spice, and orange blossom-like nuances. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, it has good acidity, soft tannins, and a great finish.
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.