2014 Sloan Estate
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Tasting notes
Just about pure perfection in a class, the 2014 Proprietary Red is heavenly stuff that offers a rare mix of both elegance and power. Still vivid purple-hued and loaded with notions of crème de cassis, leafy herbs, dried tobacco, graphite, and a touch of loamy soil notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless mouthfeel, and building yet perfectly ripe tannins. It’s as concentrated as the 2015 yet offers a more polished, seamless style that’s already hard to resist. I doubt it will ever shut down, and it’s a wine that will offer pleasure today as well as in 30 years or more.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Proprietary Red needs a little coaxing to reveal slowly unfurling notions of warm black cherries, mulberries, redcurrants and blackberry compote with touches of licorice, tapenade, chargrill and scorched earth. Full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with layers of black fruits and savory flavors, it has a firm, grainy backbone of very ripe tannins and tons of vivacity, finishing very long.
The 2014 Sloan is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. Mocha, espresso, grilled herbs, leather, smoke and licorice are al fused together in this super-expressive, nuanced wine. In 2014, the Sloan is not as exuberant or rich as it can be, but that is really not an issue at all. The 2014 is a gorgeous wine in the making, that's all there is to it.
The 2014 Sloan is showing a bit more brightness and tension than is the norm, but the dark profile that is typical of this wine is evident. Tightly wound and quite tannic at this stage, the 2014 looks like a smaller-scaled version of the 2013. I expect it will also need time to be at its finest.