2014 Napa Valley – Vintage Report

A precocious spring, drought conditions throughout the year, and an early harvest are three of the signatures of 2014 in Napa Valley. And the wines? My first tastings from barrel suggest that Napa Valley's producers have a highly promising vintage on their hands. The best 2014s are aromatically expressive, rich and energetic, with striking balance and plenty of potential.

Tasting the core components at Dalla Valle

Stylistically, the 2014s remind me of 2013s, with their dark profile and intensity, but the 2014s have less tannin, structure and overall weight. Based on where the wines are today, my expectation is that 2014 will be close to quality to 2013, while it is increasingly clear that 2012 is the least interesting of Napa Valley’s three most recent vintages.

Multimedia: Colgin’s Allison Tauziet on early 2014 

The 2014 Growing Season and Harvest

Two thousand fourteen is the third year in the current drought cycle. When I visited Napa Valley in mid-April that year the plants were already a good two weeks ahead of schedule. Early indications predicted a generous crop, which was surprising, considering the abundant yields of the previous two years and the abnormally warm, dry weather. That pace held throughout the summer and into the harvest. Futo, one of the first estates to pick in recent years, brought in Merlots starting on August 28, which is virtually unheard of in Napa Valley. At the other end of the spectrum, Brad Grimes at Abreu was only about halfway through harvest when I stopped by to taste fruit coming off the sorting table on September 20.

Multimedia: The 2014 Harvest- Straight from the Vineyards and Cellars