2014 Forman, Cabernet Sauvignon “Chateau la Grande Roche” Napa Valley.
Ric Forman’s second label wine, Chateau la Grande Roche, is a winner in 2014 and is all estate fruit from just below Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, with glorious richness, fresh detail and wonderful layers it’s a Cabernet Sauvignon styled in Bordeaux fashion and a great value for top quality juice. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and the wines are vivid and bright, but with lush ripe tannins and superb balance, there is a chance we’ll all be thinking 2014 is right up there with 2013 given time in bottle, I certainly have loved what I’ve tasted so far, in fact I think Caymus’ 2014 is far better than 2013, though I might be looking for something in my Cabernet that is different than most, but this Forman Chateau la Grande Roche is great stuff. Deeply hued with a core of garnet/purple this is serious in the glass and the nose is alive with crushed violets, sandalwood, graphite and creme de cassis leading to a vibrant and dense palate of classic Napa flavors with blackberry, blueberry, currant and black cherry fruits, lilac/acacia, sweet tobacco, smoke, mineral notes and a mix of licorice, liqueur and vanilla. This full-bodied effort has some life force and is gripping, but unfolds with star quality and length, this is really a fine effort from Ric Forman, you’ll want to have some of this Cabernet Sauvignon around, don’t miss this one, drink over the next 3 to 10 years.
($40 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
