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(3) - 2014 Bell Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 750ml
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
- Best of Class & Region, 2017 California State Fair
Our 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet sauvignon derives its complexity from the blending of five Bordeaux varietals and multiple terroirs, from the valley floor in Rutherford valley to the high elevation Mt. Veeder. In the glass, the wine shows its deep ruby color while aromas of red fruits and polished oak promise a voluptuous character. On the palate, the red fruits transition to elegant, mouth-filling dark fruits, baking spices and dried herbs. The fruit-driven finish is smooth and very persistent, a seamlessly integrated example of classic Bell Cabernet, restrained and beautifully framed by oak. This supple wine is a luscious reflection of the vintage’s moderate growing conditions and pairs well with a variety of foods, particularly roasted vegetables, grilled meats and charcuterie.
Our Napa Valley Cabernet sauvignon is a blend created from select vineyards and appellations within the renowned Napa Valley. Drawing on his experience with Cabernet sauvignon and his time in Bordeaux, Anthony has created a wine that respects this historic blended wine style, utilizing fruit from the unique appellations of Napa Valley. Our 2014 vintage is a blend of Cabernet sauvignon (89%), Malbec (4%), Petit Verdot (3%), Merlot (2%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). The wine was aged in a combination of French (88%) and American (12%) oak barrel, of which 38% were new barrels, for 19 months. The wine was not fined and received a gentle filtration prior to bottling.
Vintage Notes
For the third year in a row, Napa Valley experienced an exceptional vintage and near drought conditions. Though the drought continued to concern us throughout the growing season, between 11 and 17 inches of rain fell in the critical months of February and March, coming at the right time to provide the necessary water needed for a fairly smooth growing season. The warm winter resulted in an early bud break. July’s relatively low temperatures were coupled with high humidity during the summer, heightening rot and mildew concerns. The relatively cool summer slowed down sugar accumulation to achieve perfect ripeness at lower sugar levels. The growing season provided numerous challenges – our third consecutive drought year, the South Napa earthquake in August, and late season hail. Our harvest started about two weeks early, the earliest since 2004, with vines yielding loose clusters of small, intensely flavored berries. The resulting wines have deep color, rich fruit flavors and a wonderful, supple texture on the palate.