The 2014 vintage is classic Panek Cabernet: distinct pencil lead and graphite edginess, with the ever-present Panek Vineyard ‘blueberry’ rounding out a surprisingly fragrant bouquet. The precise and seamless palate is even more pronounced in this vintage due to the extended aging, and the wine drinks as though it has already enjoyed the additional bottle age it usually asks to show its best. Rich flavors of slow roasted meat, warm holiday spices and ripe black currants combine to bring the wine to a satisfyingly smooth finish that lingers long after the last sip. This is perhaps the best Panek Vineyard Cabernet Rudius has produced, and that is saying something. We hope that you will have the patience to hold some of this wine until 2035 and beyond, as we certainly won’t!
The 2014 Panek Cabernet was fermented for 16 days in a single 4-ton closed top tank, with twice daily pump-overs, to achieve ideal extraction. The lot was then pressed, just before the conclusion of its primary fermentation, to 70% new French oak, from the Taransaud and Darnajou cooperages. As with all our Cabernets, this wine was racked post-malo, and then left to age in barrel, untouched, until bottling 33 months later.
As with any wine, we recommend that you cellar the 2014 Panek. Many New World wines are made to impress upon release but Panek is never that wine. Our Panek Cabernet will always be a bit shy in its youth, but the extended barrel age on the 2014 vintage does serve to soften the wine as compared to previous vintages on release. If you do choose to drink this wine now, we recommend ample decanting upon opening. While this wine may hide the best of itself from you now, the 2014 Panek Cab will stand out among its peers in 3-5 years, and will age brilliantly for 15+ years to come.