Bevan Cellars Curmudgeon 2014
- Vinous
-
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
Bevan's 2014 Curmudgeon, a Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, emerges from one of the top sites from Pritchard Hill. Exotic, super-expressive aromatics, super-ripe black fruit, mocha, espresso and plum are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. All the elements are in the right place. The Curmudgeon boasts extraordinary aromatic intensity and deep layers of fruit, which makes it one of the best wines in the range.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 The Curmudgeon Proprietary Red, 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of his smaller cuvées of only 132 cases. The wine is soft, round, juicy, and has essentially a near-perfect fragrance of flowers and blue and black fruits, but unusual for a Russell Bevan, the aromatics eclipse the palate impression with aggressive tannin and a slightly angular, austere character. This stands out – especially in the company of the rest of the otherworldly products he has produced. This is still an outstanding wine and it may come further together over the next 10-15 years.
Other Vintages
2011-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Soon after that, the couple moved to Minneapolis and fell in with a group of wine lovers whose passion and knowledge fanned their flame. They started taking regular trips to wine country in California, where they met many of the finest winemakers. They were so inspired by them that to this day they follow many of their principles. They learned first-hand about Philip Togni's attention to every minute detail. Saw how Bob Foley would only pick fruit if his palate -- not some lab test -- told him it was time. They heard Greg La Follette telling them how careful you have to be when making decisions in the winery because even the smallest decision has an impact on the final wine. Their conversations still reverberate with them whether the couple is at a vineyard or in the winery.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.