Lexington Gist Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
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Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
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The Gist Ranch estate vineyard was planted to Bordeaux varietals at an elevation of almost 2200 feet and 15 miles from the Pacific.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blended with 8% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers terrific notes of cassis, crushed violets, hints of tobacco and graphite, medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannin and a good finish. It's a pretty, elegant, yet nicely textured beauty that excels on its purity and balance. While it’s terrific today, in a youthful sort of way, it should be at its best from 2020-2030.
Other Vintages
2013-
Wine &
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Wilfred
Wong -
Wine &
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The Lexington label is a fairly new project for the Thomas Fogarty brand. The successful Cabernet Sauvignon-based Lexington is now its own label, which beginning in 2011 features a few single-variety bottlings and the flagship Apex.
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.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.