Cornerstone Cellars Benchlands Cabernet 2014 | Elegant Power

Cornerstone Cellars Benchlands Cabernet 2014 displays a deep ruby in color. Ripe and jammy blackberries and boysenberries with mocha and cassis. While rich and bold on the palate with dark chocolate, black cherry, and blueberries. Long, luxurious finish. Drink now through 2025. 

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Cornerstone Cellars Benchlands Cabernet 2014 is a stunning example of what a stellar vintage like 2014 can offer. Ripe, concentrated fruit, yet perfectly balanced.  While the aromas burst out of the glass with irresistible aromas of boysenberry, plum, black cherry and blackberry. The fruit aromas are intertwined with complex layers of toasty vanilla, cocoa, and black licorice. The full, lush texture fills the palate with silky tannins, bold black fruit, and baking spices. Finally, the plum and blackberry linger on the satiny finish. It’s ready to show its stuff now but has the potential to age beautifully for years to come.

Winemaker Charles Thomas | Opus One and more

So winemaker Charles Thomas helped bring Opus One to life.  As a result, Robert Parker has called him “brilliant” and a “star winemaker.  While Wine Spectator simply calls him “one of California’s best winemakers.  The Cornerstone Cellars Benchlands Cabernet 2014 is the handiwork of Thomas and his winemaking partner at Cornerstone, Kari Auringer.  And of course, Kari’s own resume includes a Scarecrow 100-pointer. Consequently, their combined expertise makes them one of the most formidable winemaking duos in Napa.   Hence, the 2014 “dream vintage” delivered to the team perfect fruit for this ripe and luxurious Cabernet.

Winemaker Kari Auringer

When Winemaker Kari Auringer became a winemaker for Cornerstone Cellars she was, in fact, coming home.   Notably, as for most of the vintages of the 2000s, Kari was an assistant winemaker to Celia Welch.   Also, Celia made the wines of Cornerstone Cellars from 2000 through 2007. In addition, contributing to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names.  While Kari’s fingerprint is already on almost a decade of Cornerstone Cellars wines.  Hence including the Cornerstone Cellars Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon 2014.

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So Kari describes herself as a hands-on winemaker.   While she gladly immerses herself in all aspects of the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle. Also, her style is one that embraces routinely rolling up her sleeves and staying intimately involved.   Therefore, touching every step of the intricate process, from vineyard sourcing and hands-on berry sorting through the countless details of winemaking.   Finally, if you don’t find her tasting barrel samples in the winery, she is probably out kicking the dirt in a vineyard.