Winemaker Notes
This vintage has a gorgeous, concentrated assemblage of aromas of stone fruits, crushed blue herbs, violets, cherry, anise, and a touch of honeysuckle. On the palate is pure richness from the old-vine Zinfandel with loads of super ripe blackberry, pepper spice, and an enveloping masculinity of char and tannins from the Syrah, Charbono and Petite Sirah. A seamless balance and mouth coating deliciousness are found throughout the palate, with an extra long finish with a touch of barrel tannin at the end.
2014 Scout’s Honor is certainly a generous mouthful of red wine that we recommend be opened and enjoyed immediately upon release. Cellared correctly it will age for 5 to 8 years.
Blend: 71% Zinfandel, 16% Charbono, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The highly successful Venge 2014 Scout's Honor is, in this incarnation, a blend of 71% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 16% Charbono and 6% Syrah, tipping the scales at 15.3% natural alcohol. A major sleeper of the vintage, this is a killer wine that sells for a song for as good as it is. Inky purple with blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, incense and graphite, the wine is full-bodied, unctuously textured and a thrilling mouthful of wine that satisfies both the hedonistic and intellectual senses. This is one of the best Scout’s Honor I have ever tasted. Kudos to Nils Venge’s son Kirk, the current winemaker.
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.