94pts Vinous

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is creamy and intense, yet retains its classic sense of structure. Inky blue and purplish fruit, smoke, licorice, crème de cassis and dark spices build in a powerful, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with personality.

92pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

It is certainly approachable already, so there is no reason to defer your gratification. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has slightly more density and richness as one should expect, nice blackcurrant fruit, licorice, a pure classic flavor profile, medium to full body, ripe tannins and a long finish with well-integrated wood, acidity and tannin. It is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for up to 20 years.

Winemaker Notes

2014 was a much cooler and more elegant vintage, highlighting the finesse of the high elevation volcanic vineyards. Compared to the 2013 vintage, the desiccated and confectionary aromas are more tart and fresh with lots of levity, however, the structure of the wines are just as impeccably polished as the 2013. Aromas and flavors of just ripened blue and red fruit are accentuated by the savory herbal aromatics of rosemary and thyme. There is a touch of mint as well as intense earthy graphite aromas.Gorgeous black fruit, gravel, violets, black cherry, anise, juicy palate with nice structure and velvety tannins along with chocolate flavors. Finishes with very elegant bittersweet tannins.

Winery Notes

Burgess Cellars has been family owned and creating wines with mountain distinction since 1972 on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. When our founder Tom Burgess purchased the 1870’s era winery in 1972 he established himself as a pioneer of mountain side wineries. Today, the second generation is building on Tom’s legacy. Brothers Steven Burgess and James Burgess took over as President and Vineyard Manager respectively. In 2013, Winemaker Kelly Woods, a UC Davis graduate, completed the new team, and together the trio has fined-tuned the vineyards and cellar to highlight mountain grapes. The new direction of the estate is taking Burgess Cellars to the pinnacle of Napa Valley wine quality. At almost 1000 feet, far over the valley floor, we produce wines from our two estate hillside vineyards, Winery Ranch Vineyard and Haymaker Vineyard. Our hillside grapes tend to be smaller, with more concentrated flavors and tannins, varietal intensity and excellent aging properties. A visit to Burgess Cellars begins with a panoramic vista that offers real perspective on the Napa Valley. One can see the length of the Mayacamas range, from Calistoga to the hills beyond Napa.