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Retail Price
 $140.00 

Today's Price - 65% OFF
$49.00

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Taplin Cellars
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
, Napa Valley
Terra 9

The Ultimate Peak-Drinking Napa Cabernet

95 Point Vintage — Wine Spectator, The 2014 vintage showcases a fantastic streak of excellence following 2012 and 2013.
94 Points — Cellar Tracker
93 Points — James Suckling
93 Points — The Wine Independent

When 100-point winemaker Julien Fayard—formerly of (Lafite Rothschild, Realm, Quintessa)—set out to craft the 2014 Terra 9, he had a single goal: deliver classical Bordeaux precision anchored in pure St. Helena power.

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.

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.

Why This Bottle Overdelivers:

• Elite Winemaking Pedigree:  Winemaker Julien Fayard is one of Napa’s most respected talents, bringing his classical French training to the estate. Napa Cabernets crafted by winemakers of this caliber frequently retail north of $150–$200.
• The "Terra 9" Terroir:  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.
• Peak Drinking Window:  At a decade post-vintage, this 2014 is sitting in its absolute prime—offering complex, fully integrated maturity without requiring another day in the cellar.

Food Pairings
Grilled Ribeye, Roasted Rack of Lamb, or Pan-Seared Duck Breast
Wild Mushroom Risotto or Truffle-infused Polenta
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.

100 Point Winemaker, Julien Fayard 
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Fayard is one of Napa Valley's most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. Julien's wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. Originally from France.  In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley.  In Napa, Julien Fayard spent eight years under Philippe Melka's tutelage, he was Melka's director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.

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%

Download Full Technical Sheet & Cellar Notes

More About Taplin Cellars

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