The wine opens with dark, briary aromas of black currants and mulberries laced with aniseed and hints of violet. The palate is well proportioned with plush, juicy flavors. Dense, chocolaty tannins provide the framework for a persistent finish.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, Newton’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of blackcurrants, licorice, camphor and incense. There’s some spice box and subtle background oak as well. It is medium to full-bodied, elegant, and like most of Newton’s wines, seems to represent a beautiful crossover between the elegance and finesse of a great Bordeaux and the ripeness, power and exuberance of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
- James Suckling: This Newton underlines the finesse and tension of the 2014 vintage in Napa with a full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a bright and energetic finish. Plenty of subtle blackcurrant, tobacco and forest-floor undertones. Drink or hold.
Producer Information
Newton Vineyard was one of the first wineries in the Spring Mountain AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Napa Valley, established in 1977 by Dr Su Hua and Peter Newton. In 1990, Newton was the first winery to produce and sell an unfiltered Chardonnay within the United States, making it a pioneer in the Napa wine industry. While the Chardonnay tends to be Newton’s most well-known and popular wine, it also produces powerful red wines that have become renowned across the world. The Spring Mountain property lies on a steep slope with altitudes ranging between 490 to 1600 feet (150 to 490 meters) in the Mayacamas Mountain range, which separates Napa Valley from Sonoma County. In total the Newton estate is divided into 112 parcels, all planted to specific varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Chardonnay. All 112 parcels are vinified separately, so the winemaking team has plenty of options for putting together a final blend before bottling. In addition to the estate property, Newton also has holdings in Yountville, Mount Veeder, and Carneros, which the company uses for blends. The Puzzle is considered to be Newton’s “cru” wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the best parcels on the Spring Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Yountville properties. A bold and brawny Cabernet, it greatly benefits with time in the cellar. In addition to the famous unfiltered Chardonnay, Newton also produces an unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot. Those too impatient to cellar their wines can enjoy Newton’s Red Label wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, and Chardonnay that are made to enjoy after bottling. In 2001, part of Newton was sold to luxury group LVMH, and it continues to be one of the internationally known producers in Napa Valley. The founders previously founded Sterling Vineyards, also in Napa Valley, but sold it to Coca Cola in the 1970s.
