This year’s harvest will go down as one of the earliest ever in the Napa Valley and it will also be noted for near-perfect weather throughout the growing season, resulting in a fairly abundant and very high quality crop. Making it three strong vintages in row!

The winter was quite warm lots of sunshine throughout January and February. Mother nature did provide us with a little rain relief in March, which was welcomed with big smiles from lots of growers. Not enough to make a dent in the continued drought but enough to provide some much needed irrigation to the wines just before bud break. The season continued in ideal growing conditions with crop sizes remaining at normal levels with a bump in size for white grapes and slightly reduced production for reds.

2014 extends the streak to three fantastic vintages in a row. In spite of the drought and the South Napa earthquake, Mother Nnature provided us with great fruit and again a good- sized crop.

While the drought continued, late February and early March rains provided just the right amount of water to begin the season. The season began early, and hence, so did harvest. Most of the grapes had all been picked by Mid- October.

The 2014 wines have great intensity, fantastic flavor, and length. 

Our 2014 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark ruby red with hues of dark purple and blue. On the nose it draws you in with black current and cassis fruit. Notes of Cedar, tobacco, and floral aromas are mixed with dark cocoa and the classic Rutherford Dust character. On the palate sweet berry and currant fruits lead to vanilla, cocoa and just the right touch of oak. The wine is seamless with a 30 second long finish with a beautiful richness. Tempting to drink now but 5-7 years of cellaring will only add to it complexity.