Hewitt Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley

The historic Hewitt Vineyard resides on the famed Rutherford Bench, a narrow ribbon of gravel-rich alluvial soils on the western side of the Napa Valley that has - since the late 1800s - produced California's best Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Hewitt Vineyard produces only estate Cabernet Sauvignon from this extraordinary fifty-eight acre vineyard. The 2010 vintage was the #4 wine on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list and there was barely a bottle to be had. This 2014 is an outstanding effort, capturing the award-winning character of the Hewitt Vineyard. Grapes were hand sorted on tables twice: first as clusters to remove any leaves or inferior fruit and then, after destemming, as individual grapes. This gentle process retained about 70 percent whole berries. A portion of the must is fermented in new French oak barrels to integrate the tannins and enhance the plush texture of the wine. Three to five days of cold soaking before fermentation, followed by extended skin contact, developed the rich varietal character. Btonnage (stirring) during malolactic fermentation in the barrel rounded acidity and softened the tannins. Four rackings during 21 months of barrel aging naturally clarified the wine, and after blending, the wine was bottled without fining.

The Wine Advocate scored this 95 points saying "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant nose of cedar, violets, potpourri and crushed blueberries over a core of black currants and plums, plus a hint of dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals impressive energy, with tons of perfumed black fruit and earthy layers supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and lively."

and James Suckling scored this 98 points saying "The purity of this wine is crazy. Blue fruits with aromas of oyster shell and Indian ink. Full-bodied yet tight and reserved. A fabulous finish of ultra-fine tannins and focused fruit. This is a superb young Napa cab. Give it three to four years of bottle age. New Napa cult?"