Casa Piena Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (750ml) *

A California Cabernet Sauvignon in a warmer, more open register, the 2014 Casa Piena Estate leans into ripeness rather than austerity. Cabernet from this corner of the state tends to build structure and depth, and this bottling reads as a fuller, rounder expression of the grape, generous where some vintages turn firm.

The fruit runs to dark red and blue tones, plump and juicy on the palate, threaded with sweet spice and a lift of lavender. It comes across as supple and easygoing, more about texture and roundness than sharp edges, the sort of Cabernet that shows its charm early and wears it comfortably.