Priest Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2014

Priest Ranch’s philosophy is that all wines must stem from the land. This approach is followed religiously by viticulturist and winemaker Craig Becker, who adopts a minimalist approach in the winery. Priest Ranch is named after James Joshua Priest, who settled in the area in 1869 as a gold prospector. Today it’s owned by the Somerston Wine Estate which, in 2004 it merged with its 386ha Elder Valley estate. The first vintage of this wine was made in 2006 from vines planted in 1972. Stephen Brook: Ripe blackberry nose that is just the right side of jammy. Rich and velvety despite the underlying tannins, this has a certain grandeur. Very concentrated and forceful, with enough acidity to give it persistence. Alex Hunt MW: Youthful and tightly knit, this wine shows real poise and focus. There is a currant-based core that will emerge in bottle, filling out the current neat tannic structure. Stefan Neumann MS: Blackcurrant and blackberries are the dominant aromas and offer immediate charm on the nose. Concentrated with quite a high ripeness level, which makes it enjoyable in its youth. Good juicy character with a tick of grippy tannins.