2014 Secret Lot 1X

James Suckling: 92

The Story

Secret Door Winery has searched out our favorite parts of the Napa Valley with an eye to work with dedicated grape-growers prepared to produce Cabernet Sauvignon grapes of the highest quality. We don’t own these vineyards. We have the full cooperation of the farming teams to follow our growing protocols and produce the grapes that can make the style of wine that is our vision. Purchasing grapes is not an uncommon practice for wineries in California. With a careful selection of the vineyard site and close cooperation between the grower and the winery there is no difference in quality between purchased grapes and estate grown grapes.

Winemaking

This is where it all started. The Lot: 1X was the first Secret Door Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon release. This inaugural wine is unique in that we cannot contractually disclose the source of this wine, but needless to say it was some of the greatest juice the team had ever tasted. The wine was aged in small French Oak barrels for an additional 2 years in small French oak barriques before bottling a mere 325 cases of this special wine.

Tasting Notes

A young cabernet with verve, balance and plenty of currant and blackberry character. Juicy and polished. A beautiful, composed wine. Drink now or hold for up to two decades.