2014 was one of the more memorable vintages of the last decade! The two prior harvests of 2012 and 2013 had provided abundant and high quality crops, and the winter of 2013/2014 was one of the driest on record. Two large harvests and a dry winter led us to believe that 2014 might be a smaller vintage, but some nice rains in February and March gave the vineyards just the drink they needed to get going! We had a steady, consistent growing season, yet were rocked by a massive earthquake on August 24, 2014 centered right here in Napa. There was no haste in tending to the barrel cleanup after the earthquake, as we already had started crushing some of early wines, sparkling and rose. Most of our reads were picked a little earlier than normal, at full ripeness, with rich, robust dark berry flavors and ripe, fully resolved tannins. It was a special year by all accounts!
According to Jancis Robinson – “Syrah, one of the noblest black grape varieties, if nobility is
bestowed by an ability to produce serious red wines capable of aging majestically for decades.”
We think we have one for the ages!
Upon first opening, the wine has a wonderful spicy forest floor tone on the nose which evolves into dark and peppery black berry fruit aromas. These aromas are enhanced by toasted vanilla and caramel notes with hints of floral and light herb tones. On the palate, the wine is rich yet lively on the attack. A full-bodied mid-palate with well-structured tannins frame the wine nicely into the finish. The finish itself is long, with medium grain tannins and lingering flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, pepper, and vanilla.