2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Ridge. Santa Cruz, California (Half Bottle)

92 points Jeb Dunnuck, writing in 2017: “Moving to the Bordeaux blends, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from Ridge is an inky colored, ripe, downright sexy Cabernet that gives up ample notes of blueberries, cassis, vanilla bean, and licorice. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, this full-bodied 2014 has a big mid-palate, good freshness and lots of chalky tannin on the finish. It has plenty of baby fat currently, but should round into form with 3-4 years of bottles age.”

“Deep cherry red. Fabulously rich and pure black fruit, cassis and blackberry, with fine juicy freshness to balance all that intense, lively fruit. Deep and long but not heavy. Sweet oak spice on the end. Full in the mouth but with the finest of tannins.” 17.5/20, Julia Harding MW on JancisRobinson.Com