Winemaker Notes
The 2014 growing season marked the third consecutive year of drought in California. An exceptionally dry winter, with some of the coldest days on record, led to an early bud break and the start of the growing season. It was a decently early and smooth harvest, with one huge interruption – the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Napa Valley. Vineyard 29 was, fortunately, unharmed in the earthquake, but it left many vintners working on repairs in the middle of harvest. Otherwise, ideal picking conditions led to a stunning vintage. Despite the low yields, the wines from 2014 are concentrated and have a serious richness.

The 2014 Vineyard 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon starts with beautiful notes of chocolate covered strawberries, then opens up into a luxurious balance of dark cherries and dark chocolate with marjoram and thyme. Intense black fruit on the palate with satin tannins and a lengthy finish of ripe fruits make this a cabernet that can be enjoyed now or aged for years to come. This offering pairs perfectly at our winery library tasting with grilled beef tenderloin, a caramelized onion galette, charred broccolini topped with a compound butter of thyme, red wine and green garlic.