2014 Bevan Cellars, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley [Nicked Label], Bottle (750ml)

RP100 "Another look at perfection is the 350-case cuvée of 2014 Sugarloaf Mountain Proprietary Red. This is a Cheval Blanc-like blend of 57% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot aged in Gamba and Darnajou barrels. I don’t know anyone making wine from this particular rockpile in the southeastern hillsides of Napa, but Bevan has certainly found an unreal terroir to exploit. Unbelievable aromatics – going the full spectrum of red, blue and black fruits to spring flowers to earthy charcoal embers and incense – are followed by a wine of magnificent intensity, fabulous purity and full-bodied, almost unctuous, texture. Yet, the wine has the balance of a world-class ballerina. This is deep, rich, showing incredibly well already, and therefore hard to resist. It could last for 20+ years in a cold cellar, but why wait?" RP Oct 2016

"A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2014 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain comes from a cooler site in south Napa, above a quarry. It usually allows for a longer hang time, often lending a minty or herbal lift to the wine. Deep garnet in color, the nose of the 2014 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain opens with intense scents of stewed black cherries, kirsch, blackberry preserves and baked plums with hints of dried Provence herbs, pencil shavings and olives with a waft lavender. The firmly textured, full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, packed with energetic, muscular black fruit and finishing long and vibrant." LPB for TWA Feb 2021