2014 Eisele Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA

Rich start and then extremely, delightfully lively with real life and lift on the palate – despite all that alcohol. Exceptional in this respect, perhaps because of the biodynamic viticulture? Very fine tannins well in retreat. 

Drink 2020 - 2034

1,700 cases made

Young and intense, with pure, rich flavors of dark berry, gravelly earth, cedary oak and savory herbs. Rustic and chewy, yet well-focused. Keeps attention on the core complexity and structure, gaining with each sip. Needs time.

Drink 2020 - 2034

The wines from the extremely hot drought year, 2014, were just bottled prior to my visit. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the vintage’s precociousness and front-end loaded, flattering style. It is medium to full-bodied, shows beautiful fruit purity, deep black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, moving toward blacker berries. There is a floral characteristic, spice, and a full-bodied, lush mouthfeel with silky tannin. Drink it over the next 25 years.

Drink 2016 - 2041

A brooding bouquet of black cherry, petroleum jelly, dark spice and hints of rich soil and bitter chocolate introduces a rich, layered wine with ample powdery tannins, a taut core and lovely depth and focus. This is one 2014 that may well surpass its 2013 counterpart.

Drink 2020 - 2035

Intensely scented dried flowers on the nose in the rose to lilac spectrum. Raspberry and blackberry undertones. Rose perfumes. It’s full-bodied, yet everything’s in finesse. Superfine tannins coat your palate and give you incredible length, and it all lasts for minutes on the palate. Great resonance. It is not the power of 2013, but intellect and persistence prevail here. It is a joy to taste now, but this will improve for decades ahead.