2014 Vineyard 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
(14.9% alcohol): Bright full ruby. Complex, dark aromas of crushed cassis and black raspberry, licorice, cocoa powder, coffee and cedary cigar box. Seriously dense and stuffed with fruit; perhaps a bit less refined and harmonious today than the extraordinary 2013 but even sweeter in the early going and quite juicy for a wine from a drought year. This very rich, long wine finishes with sweet, horizontal tannins and subtle minerality. I should note that I tasted two other bottles of this wine of roughly equal quality, but both were tighter and more medicinal, perhaps in the process of shutting down. From a drawn-out harvest that started very early, on September 8, but did not finish until October 10.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate is even better than it was last year. Deep, powerful and ample, the 2014 presents good aromatic intensity that plays off some of the richer flavors and textures. Dark cherry, espresso, chocolate and expressive floral notes build as the 2014 shows off its inviting personality.
As for their flagship wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate, this is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon from the so-called Grace clone and 2% Petit Verdot that was aged 20 months in 85% new French oak. Only 740 cases were made of this opaque purple-colored wine that offers up terrific fruit, loads of blackberry, blueberry, spring flowers, a touch of charcoal and graphite, followed by a multidimensional, full-bodied mouthfeel with sweet tannin and a finish of 45+ seconds. Drink now-2038. This is a stunner.
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate is a bit richer and creamier than the Aida, with plenty of crème de cassis, blackberry jam, menthol, pine and licorice notes. This voluptuous, generous Cabernet Sauvignon is quite expressive today.