2014 Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon Raison d'Etre
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Tasting notes
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Raison D'Etre delivers a profoundly scented nose of plum preserves, mocha, crushed black currants and black forest cake with hints of licorice, cedar chest, baking spices and violets. The rich, decadent, full-bodied palate offers a wall of black fruit preserves accented by spicy layers, with soft, rounded tannins and a lively lift on the epically long finish.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Raison d'Etre is the biggest and richest of these Cabernets. It is also the wine that has retained the most freshness and aromatic lift. Beams of Atlas Peak salinity and minerality give the wine its very specific shape and tension. Like all of the 2014s here, there is a good deal of oak, but the Raison d'Etre also has enough richness in its fruit to provide a measure of balance.
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Raison d'Etre is plump, juicy and immediate, with lovely up-front intensity and volume. Much more approachable than the 2013, the 2014 should drink well early. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, dark chocolate, and sweet spices wrap around the succulent, expressive finish. Readers who enjoy ripe, voluptuous Cabernets will flip out over the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Raison d'Etre, which in this vintage is made from 100% estate fruit. The style is ripe, voluptuous and intense throughout.