| Score: |
96 RP.
"There are 700 cases of the 2014 Ontogeny Proprietary Red, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Totally dry, even though there is a wonderful sucrosity to the fruit. The wine has stunning blackberry and cassis notes, spring flowers, supple tannins and a long, multidimensional mouthfeel. It is a sexy beast for sure . . . . Russell Bevan continues to build on the greatness he achieved with his 2012s and 2013s with some of the finest 2014s in all of Northern California. Moreover, 2015 looks to be another great vintage. In addition, 2016 was shaping up spectacularly when I was in Napa in late August and early September. All of Bevan’s 2014s are in bottle and are exciting, even exhilarating wines. But be forewarned, these are not for the anti-flavor folks, as they are pedal-to-the-metal, full-throttle and super-intense, but have great balance and integrity of fruit." Wine Advocate #227, Oct 2016 |