Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Priest Ranch’s philosophy is that all wines must stem from the land. This approach is followed religiously by viticulturist and winemaker Craig Becker, who adopts a minimalist approach in the winery. Priest Ranch is named after James Joshua Priest, who settled in the area in 1869 as a gold prospector. Today it’s owned by the Somerston Wine Estate which, in 2004 it merged with its 386ha Elder Valley estate. The first vintage of this wine was made in 2006 from vines planted in 1972. Stephen Brook: Ripe blackberry nose that is just the right side of jammy. Rich and velvety despite the underlying tannins, this has a certain grandeur. Very concentrated and forceful, with enough acidity to give it persistence. Alex Hunt MW: Youthful and tightly knit, this wine shows real poise and focus. There is a currant-based core that will emerge in bottle, filling out the current neat tannic structure. Stefan Neumann MS: Blackcurrant and blackberries are the dominant aromas and offer immediate charm on the nose. Concentrated with quite a high ripeness level, which makes it enjoyable in its youth. Good juicy character with a tick of grippy tannins.
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James Suckling
Attractive blackberry, plum and dried-mushroom character with hints of bark. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh, citrus-peel undertone on the finish. More reserved than past vintages.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. Generous flavors of blackcurrants, plum, Asian spice, licorice and earth jump from the glass as well as the flavors of this full-bodied, supple-textured, low-acid and fleshy wine. It is delicious now and should continue to be so for 15 or more years.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.