Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignontext

87POINTS

15^¾/20

Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis is one of six notes written during a Late September vertical of Beringer’s Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from 2009-2014. Beringer has been harvesting grapes from Knights Valley vineyards since the mid-1960’s. The narrow valley is almost a bridge AVA between Napa and Sonoma famous for its cobbled alluvial soils. The Knights Valley designation first appeared on a Beringer label in 1974 and the company was instrumental in garnering official recognition for the area in 1983 when it was designated an American Viticulture Area (AVA). The 2014 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a anomaly in this six tasting set. Big, spicy and sweet is the moniker of this wine that lacks the substance and general gravitas exhibited in every vintage since 2010. Warm and earthy with leafy, sweet cherry fruit that dominates the nose and palate. The finish is short and fruity but again with a sweetness that seems uncharacteristic. Winemaker Mark Beringer is ageing his wine in French oak barrels (25 percent new) for 16 months. Ready to drink.Tasted: 22 September 2017Tasted by: Prices: