J_Smallwood

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• MicklethePickle says:

  5/5/2017 6:25:00 PM - Hi J, thanks for the comment. The bottle I had was purchased on release and cellared by me in perfect conditions, so now I am worried that the store I bought from had the wine shipped to the store (in SF) in a non-refrigerated container. A bummer, because my other two bottles came from the same store.

• csimm says:

  8/26/2016 3:00:00 PM - Hi J. Thanks for the kind words. As far as 2013 versus 2014 vintages (given just some of the 2014s I've had thus far), I would agree with most winemakers in Napa Valley I've spoken with who have dubbed 2014 as sort of a hybrid of 2012 and 2013. I believe the 2014 vintage is expressing itself most similar to 2012 in that the young wines (talking in terms of Napa Cabernets here) are fruit-driven and a bit flamboyant. Akin to 2012, 2014 is no coward to big fruit. Also though, of the 2014s I've had, I've found a nice structural component (sweet tannic backbone) that I was always worried about not fully forming in some of the 2012s - Much like 2007, where the fruit was unbelievably fat and plush, but over time, stands to become a bit muddled without the proper frame to hold up all that amazing fruit. The 2014s seem to exhibit nice framework in addition to that fruit (a very good thing). For me, the 2014s are drinking better younger in terms of expression and accessibility than their 2012 and 2013 equivalents were at the same age. In the end, I don't think 2014 is a throwaway vintage at all. 2013s are starting to really show some extraordinary intensity and depth, the likes of which I think 2014 wines will have a hard time competing with. But a few (the Carter OG and LPV wines in particular) are true standouts and may even rival the 2013s. Of course, these are all just generalizations. And I'm just a lowly consumer. So many wines are made in different fashions each vintage; it's hard to paint a broad brush. But 2014 looks to be a vintage worth investing in with your favorite wineries. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to experience that 2013 intensity and "pow" from the 2014 wines necessarily, generally speaking, but I'd certainly stand by the notion that 2014 will do well in the cellar standing next to its 2012 and 2013 brethren. And 2015 looks to be great as well (thank that drought for that). Anyway, that's my best 2 cents at the moment though. Cheers!