Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even better than the 2013 (and this is probably the only cuvée about which I can say that when it comes to Bordeaux varietals), the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is super-dense, displaying sweet crème de cassis, Christmas fruitcake and spice box notes as well as a long, opulent mouthfeel, crushed rock and lead pencil shavings, and a round, generous, sumptuous mouthfeel. It is a killer effort and a great example of Coombsville viticulture. Drink it over the next 15-20 years. Kudos to Paul Hobbs!
Barrel Sample: 96-99 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is on another level. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a site in Coombsville which is a cooler terroir in the southern part of the Valley and spent 20 months in all new French oak. Sporting an inky purple/blue color and incredible notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, damp earth and leafy herbs, it incredibly concentrated, opulent and decadent, yet always balanced and pure. It's a real “Wow” wine that's going to knock your socks off over the coming 2-3 decades.
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James Suckling
Aromas of cloves and currants with hints of rose petals. Iodine and oyster shell. Full body and polished and velvety tannins. Very linear and focused. A real backbone of fine tannins and acidity and mineral tension. Pinpoint clarity with immense density. Muscular. Needs time to soften. Fantastic. Drink in 2021.
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Wine Spectator
Aromas of dark berry, cherry, rose and plum firm quickly, giving the tannins muscular flex that provides the framework around a dense core of licorice-scented flavors. Best from 2020 through 2034.
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.
Situated in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley in the Vaca range, the vineyards of the Coombsville AVA enjoy a long growing season mitigated by cool, San Pablo Bay fog.