The 2014 Morlet Estate comes from the western foothills just north of St. Helena and is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a Pauillac-like austerity as well as awesome notes of black fruits, graphite, lead pencil shavings and loamy soils. Fresh, focused, full-bodied and powerful, this classic, structured Cabernet Sauvignon needs 2-4 years of bottle age but will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.

The five cuvées of Bordeaux varietals in 2014 include the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from his vineyard in St. Helena. This wine exhibits loads of chocolate, crème de cassis, pain grillé and camphor in a full-bodied, Pauillac-inspired style. It is rich, with silky tannins and a long finish. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Morlet Estate is laced with the essence of dark stone fruit, chocolate, menthol, dark spices and licorice. The new oak and torrefaction signatures are a bit more present this year than they are in some other vintages. It will be interesting to see how the oak character integrates over time.