The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste. Spring 2018 release.

Dark purple at the core with a light ruby rim. Aromas of blackberry and black cherry mix with notes of truffles, tobacco, and hints of cedar. On the palate, there is a deft balance between savory and sweet- almost more Bordeaux in style than a typical rich, voluptuous Napa Cabernet. The extra year of age for the vines seems to have done well, as there is an elevated level of complexity compared to the 2013 this was tasted next to. With excellent lift on the finish thanks to a core of acidity and vibrant minerality, this will benefit from another 3-5 years in the cellar, and then should impress for another two decades thereafter.

This bright, fresh and concentrated red has a creamy texture and is completely harmonious on the palate, with lush, forward fruit. Meanwhile the 2015, which will be released in 2019, is just about perfect – all cigar box and blue plums.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is dense purple, with sweet cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, and black raspberries in a classic, almost St.-Julien/Pauillac style. This emerged from a valley floor vineyard on the west side of Napa, where Christian Moueix told me that 2014 was characterized by generally slightly higher than average temperatures for the summer with only minor heat spikes in June and July. August and September went off without a hitch, and the harvest took place during the month of September. This full-bodied wine will hit its peak in 3-5 years and last for 25-30. - Robert Parker

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is dense purple, with sweet cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, and black raspberries in a classic, almost St.-Julien/Pauillac style. This emerged from a valley floor vineyard on the west side of Napa, where Christian Moueix told me that 2014 was characterized by generally slightly higher than average temperatures for the summer with only minor heat spikes in June and July. August and September went off without a hitch, and the harvest took place during the month of September. This full-bodied wine will hit its peak in 3-5 years and last for 25-30. - RP

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous. Deep, layered and rich in texture, it has aged impressively. A blast of dark cherry, plum, incense, leather and mocha all rush across the palate. It's a very young wine. There is perhaps a bit of edginess in the contours, but that is a pretty small quibble for a wine that was just in its third vintage in 2014. Red-toned fruit, dried herbs, mocha, lavender and bay leaf linger on the finish. -- Antonio Galloni

This is solid, with a slightly old-school tilt as tobacco, roasted alder and sage notes lead off, pulling along a core of dark currant and blackberry paste flavors. Savory and cast iron hints skirt underneath on the finish, with a subtle sanguine echo. -- Blind 2014 California Cabernet retrospective (June 2024). Drink now through 2038. - JM