The Ultimate Peak-Drinking Napa Cabernet—At 58% Off
When winemaker Julien Fayard—formerly of Château Lafite Rothschild—set out to craft the 2014 Terra 9, he had a single goal: deliver classical Bordeaux precision anchored in pure St. Helena power.
Born from an estate that has farmed the Silverado Trail since 1871 (and historically supplied fruit to legendary houses like Caymus and Orin Swift), the "Terra 9" vineyard translates to nine parts rock and one part dirt. That extreme, stony terroir stresses the vines, creating concentrated, iron-rich berries with electric minerality.
Aged to perfection at 10+ years post-vintage, Antonio Galloni’s assessment of the 2014 vintage holds true: this is a quietly brilliant year entering its ideal window of maturity—rich, nuanced, and exceptionally drinkable right now without requiring a minute of cellaring.
The "Terra 9" consistently swings above its weight class for two critical reasons:
Tasting Notes
The Nose opens with explosive aromatics of cassis, black plum, and sweet tobacco leaf, layered with warm baking spices (cinnamon and cardamom) and a light, complex ferrous mineral note. The Palate and mouthfeel is broad and sumptuous, bursting with flavors of juicy cherry pie, dark raspberry, and boysenberry compote. The Finish carries a luxurious, savory presence showing undertones of leather, mocha, and milk chocolate, framed by supple, superfine tannins that melt into a long, polished finish.
Food Pairings
Grilled Ribeye, Roasted Rack of Lamb, or Pan-Seared Duck Breast
Wild Mushroom Risotto or Truffle-infused Polenta
Hard Cheeses like Aged Gouda, Sharp English Cheddar, or Parmigiano-Reggiano
2014 Vintage
Widely heralded as a "dream year" for Napa Cabernet, marking the third consecutive year of stellar quality in the region. Despite ongoing drought conditions, timely rains in late February and March gave the vines a perfect start. Summer temperatures were incredibly cooperative, remaining warm and steady in the 80s and 90s without any destructive, scorching 100°F+ heat spikes. Budbreak and harvest both tracked roughly two weeks early, with fruit coming in with pitch-perfect sugar levels, lower natural alcohol, and magnificent structural depth. In January 2025, Antonio Galloni called 2014 a “superb Napa Valley vintage” and said many of the wines had aged exceptionally well—often better than expected—with some exceptional bottles capable of rivaling wines from more celebrated years. His key takeaway was that the vintage was at or near its peak, combining a decade of complexity with enough freshness to continue drinking well.
Napa Valley
A perfect blend of warm, dry summers for ripening and cooling coastal fog/breezes that preserve acidity. The region features 33 different soil types—roughly half the world's soil orders—ranging from volcanic to alluvial fan, contributing to flavor complexity. Vineyards are situated across valley floors and mountainous terrain (Vaca and Mayacamas ranges), creating distinct sub-appellations with unique characteristics. Known for high-quality, with a strong focus on producing premium, internationally acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon. The region's consistent climate allows for long "hang time" on the vine, enabling grapes to develop deep, concentrated flavors.
Winemaker
Julien Fayard (formerly of Château Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte) brings a rare combination of Old World discipline and deep Napa Valley intuition to his winemaking. Trained in Bordeaux and shaped by experience at some of the region’s most revered estates, he approaches each vineyard with a simple philosophy: great wine begins in the vineyard. Rather than impose a style, Fayard lets the character of the site lead, balancing Napa’s remarkable richness and concentration with freshness, precision and refined tannins. The result is Cabernet with power and polish—but, above all, a sense of place.
Winemaker: Julien Fayard
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley
Aging: 22 months in French oak barrels (60% new)
Barrels: 50% new French Oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.5%
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