We’re Strong on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - K&L Monthly Newsletter

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Oct 30th, 2017 [View in Browser]( [Special Napa Feature]( October arrives at K&L, we can be certain of two things: the holidays are fast approaching and Cabernet season is already here! Many recent releases from the big names are just now hitting the shelves, most of them hailing from the 2014 vintage. Speaking specifically of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 has become the third highly successful vintage in a row. In general, these wines are loaded with a dense core of ripe fruit and have lots of structure and backbone, which should allow them to age well. In this issue, we’re highlighting some of our favorite producers of classic Napa Cab, plus a few of their refreshing whites to enjoy before the main course. But first, three 2014s that will not only make a statement on the dinner table, but are also delicious to drink. Trey Beffa - K&L Co-Owner, Buyer [View our electronic newsletter!]( Highlights this month include... Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2014 Provenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon $34.99 [View]( 2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Price: Hidden [View]( 2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Artemis" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 92 $44.99 [View]( 2012 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 90 $114.99 [View]( 2013 Inglenook "Rubicon" Rutherford Bordeaux Blend 97 $179.99 [View]( 2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Previously $230) 98 Price: Hidden [View]( 2012 Caymus "40th Anniversary" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1L) 96 $229.99 [View]( 2014 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 97 $309.99 [View]( 2013 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 99 $319.00 [View]( 2014 Eisele Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 99 $499.00 [View]( [2014 Provenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Provenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($34.99) Provenance Vineyards began all the way back with the release, in the early 2000s, of the 1999 version of this Rutherford Cab. At that point in time I was new in the wine biz and just learning the ropes. I was working at a small shop and we tasted a ton of wine together, which really helped bring my palate along rapidly, and I can still remember tasting the first vintage of this wine. Tom Rinaldi had just left Duckhorn to help start this winery and everyone was intrigued about why he would do such a thing...I mean, he made wine for like 20+ years at Duckhorn and helped them build their brand from scratch. But once we tasted the wine we knew we were in for a fun ride. Now 18 years later or so we are still reaping those rewards. (Bryan Brick, K&L Wine Merchants) St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 05, 2017 The nose on this wine lets you know that it is underplaying, yes it's from Napa but there isn't any over the top sweetness to it. There's a subtle mix of earth, spice and fruit, none dominating another. On the palate the wine has a balanced, fresh feel it still has weight and texture but doesn't come across heavy. The finish is clean, balanced with lots of complex flavors, an excellent choice for a Napa Cab in this price point. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 06, 2017 This wonderful newly released 2014 is all about the balance. Lovely, dark berry fruit with nicely done background spice and a touch of minerality. Lush, but very balanced with a lingering, spicy finish to keep everything interesting. A wonderful value! Stevens]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 04, 2017 This was definitely one of our top sellers last year and it is good to see it back in the new vintage. For those looking for a little more elegance and honesty in their Cab this is the wine for you. Good acid, red berry and bramble, and a touch rustic this wine showcases the grape over manipulation. All of this and the wine is still only $35 which is almost unheard if these days. I believe that this wine may just fly out of here as fast as it did last year. Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 04, 2017 I loved last years Provenance Cab, but this 2014 may be even better. Less showy than the 2013, however it is all you'd want in a California Cab. Dark fruited with baking spices and silky tannins, this is a solid bottle of wine for 35 bucks! Green]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 04, 2017 Hot on the heels of the wildly popular 2013 vintage, this might even be slightly better! It's a wonderfully structured classic Napa style Cabernet very much in the style you expect from Provenance perhaps slightly less ripe than the 2013 but certainly more balanced. Just beautiful! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( Price: Hidden 93 points James Suckling: "Subtle and complex with mint, black currant and licorice aromas. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Clean and refined. A delicious cabernet to drink now or later. Yes." (01/2016) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Mellowed with 20% Merlot, this full-bodied, structured wine shows supple tannin and dark cherry, blackberry and tobacco flavors. Oak-derived notes of vanilla, clove and smoke are also present, albeit in measured quantity." (05/2017) Beffa]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 01, 2017 It is always a pleasure to taste Napa Cabernet that is made in what I would call a classic style. The 2013 Groth is a wine like that. Instead of that vanilla bean and over-ripe fruit character, I get tons of red cherries, cassis, coffee and five spice. It is a firm, full bodied wine that shows a "terroir" driven backbone which I would consider refreshing these days. Kelly]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 06, 2017 A very alluring California Cabernet with lovely restraint and finesse. Its dark fruits, the warmth of baking spices, pleasantly grippy tannins and solid structure will sway anyone who shuns all California Cabs. [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 01, 2017 The deep cassis core in this wine is super attractive, hard to find this note in this price range. Great spice on the nose. The tannin structure is energetic, letting you know the wine can be enjoyed now or set down for some time and develop into something even better. Flank steak 101. Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 20, 2017 Old school in style with incredible drinkability, Groth Cabernet Sauvignon is an icon of Napa Valley, showing currant and cherry fruit, with subtle smokiness and substantial structure, and finishing with silky tannins. With its depth, elegance, and purity of fruit, the 2013 is an easy go-to for California fans and Bordeaux drinkers alike. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Artemis" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "Artemis" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($44.99) 92 points Vinous: "The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a tasty entry-level offering from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Deep, rich and resonant, but very much medium in body, the 2014 offers lovely resonance throughout. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice and mocha give the 2014 its plump, juicy personality. (AG)" (12/2016) Beffa]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 17, 2017 The Artemis is a blend of Estate fruit and purchased fruit from throughout the valley. The 2014 is loaded with cedar, black currants, red cherries and shows hints of menthol, savory herbs and spice, which linger on the finish. Excellent BBQ steak wine! For those with a cellar and a little bit of patience, the Artemis is a great pick to hold for 3-5 years after release. The extra time in bottle really allow this wine to flesh out and open up! Keilman]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 19, 2017 Having taken the title at the Judgment of Paris, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has created a legacy that is synonymous with prestige and prominence, but on a personal level, their Artemis is at the top of my list for Napa Valley Cabs. It is my absolute number one go-to Cab for customers who are looking for balance, quality and the biggest bang for your buck under $50 from Napa Valley (even though it's well below that price). The aromatics on the 2015 are classic to the varietal: black currants, black cherry and savory herbs scream Cabernet. But the Artemis takes a surprising turn on the palate with a lifted backbone and lively red fruit brightness that ensure this Cab will pair with anything you through at it now or will cellar beautifully for years to come should you exercise some restraint and put this lil' baby away for a rainy day. Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 10, 2017 This is one of my favorite wines in the store to hand to customers who are looking for a Napa Valley Cabernet that is consistently well made and simply delicious. The Artemis is a great gift idea and can be drunk young as well as cellared for many years. The nose is full of dark berries, cherry cola and rustic wood spice with a palate that has some structure and a smooth finish. Well worth the price! Bruno]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 06, 2017 A Napa Valley classic. Made famous by its first place finish in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, the wines from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars continue to carry that legacy of exceptional quality through today. The 2014 Artemis is made with 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% each of Merlot and Malbec. Aromas of black cherry, cigar, black fruit, and dried herbs. On the palate, and expression initially of blackberry and black currant, with notes later of milk chocolate and sweet tobacco. For me, this wine is surprisingly rich and round; however, the quality of fruit and tannins are both well-integrated and balanced. Can easily pair with steak; other food options include barbecue or Portobello mushrooms Stanley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 05, 2017 This is a wonderful value in a Napa Valley Cabernet, blended with estate fruit from the volcanic soils of the Stags Leap AVA. Named for the Greek Goddess of the hunt and wilderness, the Artemis Cabernet evokes the brambly Chapparal of the Vaca mountain range, with flavors of anise seed, cinnamon and high-toned red fruits, and aromas of underbrush, tobacco leaf and cocoa. There is a bright acidity in this wine, and a beautiful structure held together by a finely knit tannin, ensuring great aging potential. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2012 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($114.99) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Notes of dill, herb and vanilla bean-scented oak lead to an elegant array of dark berry, herb, cedar, gravelly earth and underbrush flavors. The tannins cling a bit, but this is an enjoyable and approachable youngster, with a track record for aging. Drink now through 2028. (JL)" (06/2017) K&L Notes: "Blue Chip." That is always one of the phrases I use when talking about the Silver Oak Napa Valley bottling. Year after year Silver Oak produces some of the most reliably delicious wine that Napa has to offer. It might not be most "culty," nor the highest rated on someone's 100 point scale but it is always exactly what you know it to be: rich, powerful, heavily fruited, laced with spicy oak and full of structure but still enjoyable upon release. Perfect for gifts, important client meetings, special dinners and a great mid-term wine for any smart collector this wine is always a safe and smart decision when looking for higher end bottling. (Bryan Brick, K&L) Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 07, 2017 The Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to the quality Napa wines can achieve with precise winemaking and the pristine fruit of the Valley. It showcases ripe, savory red currant, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with slight thyme and rosemary herb elements. The French oak is well integrated and lends a subtle spice profile to the elegant wine. The tannins are still strong, and combined with the great acid, will help this bottle age beautifully for years. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Inglenook "Rubicon" Rutherford Bordeaux Blend]( [2013 Inglenook "Rubicon" Rutherford Bordeaux Blend]( ($179.99) 97 points James Suckling: "An aromatic and complex red with currant, white-chocolate and rose-petal character. Full-bodied, tight and polished. Fine and long. Beautiful now but will improve in time." (05/2017) 97 points Vinous: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon emerges from the back part of the property, which lies on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Here the wines are dense, powerful and structured. That is exactly what comes through in the 2013. Layers of dark fruit built into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures laced with mocha, espresso, gravel and dark spice overtones. The new oak that was so prominent at the outset has begun to integrate and in so doing is allowing the fruit to come through to a greater degree than in the past. This is a tremendous showing for the 2013 Rubicon. (AG)" (12/2016) Jancis Robinson: "Very fresh nose terribly tempting to say it smells like young Ch Margaux! Aromatic and complex. Bone dry and appetising. Very racy. Extremely classy and dusty plus bordeaux plus beauty. Minerals aplenty and very fine tannins. More energy than the 2011 but with very similar tannins to the 2011. 18/20 Points (JR)" (02/2015) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Previously $230)]( [2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Previously $230)]( Price: Hidden 98 points James Suckling: "Loads of dark tobacco aromas with blackcurrants and black olives. Boysenberries, too. Full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and lots of flavors of smoke, dried roasted chillis, black truffles, mushrooms and fruit. Bright acidity on the finish. Sexy and subtle austerity. Alluring. Very approachable now but better in 2021." (01/2017) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Dominus, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot really struts its stuff. Moueixs belief in dry farming seems to be paying off with stronger and stronger vintages, each successive year, and the 2014 is a sexy, opulent, layered, multidimensional wine with notes of red and blackcurrant, cedar wood, tobacco leaf , spice box and licorice. The color is a dense plum/ruby/purple, much like the Napanook. This is a beauty that is already drinking gorgeously as most 2014s are and will continue to evolve for 25 or so years. (RP)" (10/2016) 96 points Vinous: "The 2014 Dominus is endowed with tons of depth, power and muscle. Black cherry, plum, smoke, menthol, licorice, chocolate, dried herbs and dark spices are all pushed forward. Deep, pliant and exquisitely layered, the 2014 possesses tons of concentration and mid-palate depth. Like so many wines in this vintage, the 2014 comes across as a hybrid of 2013 and 2012. I very much like the energy and focus in this wine. This is a fabulous wine in every way. With time in the glass, the flavors gain in brightness and focus. There is certainly much to look forward to. (AG)" (12/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Caymus "40th Anniversary" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1L)]( [2012 Caymus "40th Anniversary" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1L)]( ($229.99) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "They appear to be immune to some of winedoms less than intelligent trends and fads that we see from time to time, and the result is a spectacular 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary offering. Its dense purple/black color is followed by copious quantities of crème de cassis and blackberry fruit, silky tannins, a voluptuous texture and stunning purity as well as length. This full-bodied effort is a fabulous example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a tribute to this amazing family. It is so good now, why wait? However, Im sure that like most vintages of Caymus, it will last for 20-25 years. Amazing! (RP)" (10/2014) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Lavishly oaked, with creamy mocha, vanilla, cedar and anise notes at the edge of a rich core of dark berry, plum and black licorice flavors. Tight, focused and persistent, showing a seductive character. (JL)" (11/2014) K&L Notes: With a special bottle and label for their 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus is ready to celebrate this epic 2012 vintage. Charlie and Lorna Wagner with their son Chuck began this now iconic Napa Valley winery in 1972. Chuck is now the owner and winemaker, and has this to offer: "This wine exemplifies our style of Cabernet out of a great vintage: deep color, rich, concentrated and balanced. 2012 celebrates 40 years of producing our pride and joy, Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( [2014 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( ($309.99) 97 points James Suckling: "Mesmerizing aromas of flowers, bark, currants and blackberries. So perfumed. You just want to smell it. Exquisite tension and finesse with an almost Burgundian texture, yet its Napa in its soul with ripe fruit, stones, spices and Chinese tea leaf flavors. Savory and delicious. Drinkable but better in 2020. Available on October 2017. (JS)" (06/2017) 95 points Vinous: "The 2014 Opus One has turned out to be a gorgeous wine. Savory, tightly wound and intensely aromatic, the 2014 is going to need time to unwind, but it looks like it will develop along the more classic vintages here. The tannins are firm but also impeccably balanced. A sleeper wine for the year, the 2014 is shaping up to be a gorgeous wine that will handsomely repay several decades of cellaring. The 2014 is not an obvious Opus One, like the 2010, 2012 or 2013, but over time, I will not be surprised if it challenges or even surpasses some of those vintages. In short, the 2014 is a wine of tension, power and grace. (AG) 95+" (12/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Shafer "Hillside Select" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($319.00) 99 points James Suckling: "Wonderful floral aromas with perfumed roses plus hints of blackcurrants and spearmint. Full-bodied and so powerful and muscular but always showing the brightness and beauty of fruit. Winemakers say this reminds them of the 1978, their first year. It certainly has the structure "those tannins" as they put it. Finish is so impressive with tar, iron and spices." (05/2017) 98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select will probably hit the magic three-digit score, but it is a more backward style of wine, although probably even more concentrated than the 2012, and thats saying something. Fabulous potential of 30-50 years is evident in this profound bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that is inky blue/black to the rim and offers up notes of charcoal embers, scorched earth, blackberries, cassis, blueberries, a hint of coffee, and background barrique smells. Massively concentrated but incredibly elegant and poised, this is a wine of great energy and vibrancy. It is fabulously deep, built like a skyscraper, and set for an incredibly long life. Try not to consume a bottle for at least another 4-5 years and then watch the magic unfold. (RP) 98+" (10/2016) 97 points Vinous: "Just bottled a few months before this tasting, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Readers will have to be patient with this big, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2013 doesn't have the sensuality of the 2012 nor the silkiness of the 2011. Instead, the 2013 is a dense, vertical wine that needs at least a few years of cellaring. This is an intensely savory, mineral driven vintage for Shafer's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. (AG) 97+" (10/2016) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Graceful and supple, rich and loamy, tilted toward the savory, herbal side of Cabernet, with modest cherry and currant notes. Displays deft balance and hints of anise and underbrush. Complex throughout. (JL, Web-2017)" --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Eisele Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Eisele Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($499.00) 99 points James Suckling: "Intensely scented dried flowers on the nose in the rose to lilac spectrum. Raspberry and blackberry undertones. Rose perfumes. It's full-bodied, yet everything's in finesse. Superfine tannins coat your palate and give you incredible length, and it all last for minutes on the palate. Great resonance. Not the power of 2013 but intellect and persistence prevails here. A joy to taste now, but this will improve for decades ahead." (01/2017) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The wines from the extremely hot drought year, 2014, were just bottled prior to my visit. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the vintages precociousness and front-end loaded, flattering style. It is medium to full-bodied, shows beautiful fruit purity, deep black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, moving toward blacker berries. There is a floral characteristic, spice, and a full-bodied, lush mouthfeel with silky tannin. Drink it over the next 25 years. (RP)" (10/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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