Winemaker's Notes
To further underscore a unifying characteristic of the 2014 Vintage in Sonoma County of drought-winter, low yields and concentration, this wine showcases them all to a strength. It is beginning to reveal its layers after nearly 11 months in bottle and should continue to unfold slowly and surely over many years. Since I have gone to non-racking these wines as a goal, they are more reticent in the first year after bottling which will pay extreme dividends during all the years that follow. The wine critics will eventually understand this and factor that into their opinions of young wines made this way (or not). It is difficult for a critic to devote the time to watch an open bottle develop over days’ time in order to estimate its resilience and longevity potential. You and I can do that on a certain scope. That said, Galloni gave it a rating of 93 with a description that I’d agree with. So, there is hope.
This wine has all the elements for long-term development, which I think is the highest goal of the variety. It has inviting cassis, earthy/loamy notes punctuated by hints of red fruit which is really refreshing in Cabernet Sauvignon. A freshly opened bottle is appropriately firm on the palate, which is quickly resolved by serving it with food. For those of you with the patience to hold classically structured wines like this for 5-25 years, the dividends are significant.
Judi Scherrer –
Vinous – April 2018
A deep, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Scherrer Vineyard is dark, potent and brooding. In 2014, the two Cabernets are not as differentiated as they often are, especially in the early going. It will be interesting to see if the wines diverge more over time. All that said, the Scherrer Vineyard exudes depth and textural richness, with plenty of torrefaction, chocolate, spice and licorice notes that add nuance to the dark-toned fruit. The 2014 spent three years in barrel (long by California standards), about two-thirds new. The Scherrer Vineyard Cabernet emerges from a parcel planted on St. George rootstock. 93+ points Antonio Galloni