Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Nicely oaky, though the wood eases off, allowing the core flavors of dark berry, espresso, licorice, anise and boysenberry to shine. Maintains focus but gains depth and persistence. Best from 2020 through 2036.
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James Suckling
Lifted nose of flowers and ripe fruit, but this remains fresh. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Typical Napa cab, yet there's a crisp edge underneath. Better in 2019.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Wurtele Vineyard is from a north-facing single vineyard composed of volcanic tufa and clay. The wine shows juicy raspberry and red and blackcurrant fruit, nice spice and floral notes, medium to full body, excellent depth and overall equilibrium. This is pure finesse and elegance and an impressive example of delicacy allied to intensity. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.
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.
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.