2014 Skipstone Oliver's Blend
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Oliver's Blend is powerful and intense, with a real sense of explosive energy running through it. Beams of supporting tannin give the wine its shape and drive. Dark tonalities of fruit, mocha, bittersweet chocolate, dark spices and leather meld into the super expressive finish. This is a decidedly opulent style, and yet there is plenty of energy running through the wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Oliver’s Blend is largely Cabernet Sauvignon (93% with 7% Merlot) aged in nearly three-fourths French oak for 18 months prior to being bottled. Loads of earthy, loamy soil notes intermixed with underbrush, blackcurrants, black cherries, tapenade and some subtle oak are present in this dense purple, full-bodied, muscular style of wine. Like most 2014s, it is already showing plenty of deliciousness and should continue to do so for at least another 15 or more years.
The 2014 Oliver's Blend shows a bit less of the wild, animal qualities that are typical of this site. Lavender, sage, blackberry jam and grilled herbs all take shape in the glass. There is an air of cool polish in the 2014 that gives the wine its distinctive sense of energy. Overall, the 2014 is a bit brighter and more focused than the 2013, but with less mid-palate opulence.