2014 Spring Valley Derby
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Tasting notes
This is a big and juicy wine with lots of velvety tannins and plum character. Plenty of chocolate and hazelnut undertones — lots of new wood. But not overdone. Rich and decadent on the finish. Drink now or hold.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
(14.2%): Bright, dark red. Aromas of currant, raspberry and red cherry are complicated by spicy oak and graphite minerality. Juicy and intense, but with a lovely subtle sweetness and captivating herbal/floral lift to the cherry and redcurrant fruit. A touch medicinal and backward but the substantial dusty tannins are not at all hard. This wine has a pH of 4 yet its palate-saturating finish does not lack for energy. I'd give it at least a couple more years of cellaring.
The 2014 Derby (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has a structured, age-worthy feel to go with notes of graphite, dried earth and assorted red and black fruits. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced and structured, it's another wine from this estate that's going to benefit from short term cellaring.