Nose

Our 2014 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon opens with lush, classic aromas of black cherry, dark berries, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and dried herbs.

Palate

The richly textured flavors echo the aromas, and then pick up cherry compote, cherry cola, graham cracker, and oak spice as they linger on the expansive finish. This wine displays a firm backbone, yet is soft and chewy with a clean finish.

Growing Conditions

Two natural events persist in California, droughts and earthquakes, and in 2014 we experienced both in Napa Valley. Pine Ridge Vineyards sits on solid rock, so the winery did not suffer damage during the earthquake. It was the third consecutive year of drought and the third fantastic vintage with perfectly ripe fruit coupled with high acidity. Weather overall was a bit cooler than in 2013, but conditions were excellent with no real threat to the vines. A mild winter combined with heavy rains in February and March nourished the thirsty vines and resulted in early budbreak.

Aging

The wine was racked to 77 percent new French oak barrels, where it was aged for 18 months prior to bottling.

Food Pairing

Food pairings with the Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon are a breeze if you focus on simple recipes like grilled flank steak marinated in fresh herbs, roast lamb, or juicy prime rib. For the cheese plate, pair with Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, a grassy and nutty cheese from Vermont.