Californian Cabernet: know your vintages

2016

A near-perfect growing season progressed evenly with warm days and cool nights. The wines show every sign of being extraordinary.

2015

After five years of drought, vines produced a small crop. An excellent vintage, marrying 2013’s concentration with 2014’s accessibility.

2014

Below-average crop of open, generous wines with good depth and balancing acidity. More serious than 2012, more accessible than 2013.

2013

Warm summer and belowaverage crop of small, thick-skinned grapes gave concentrated, firmly structured wines of fabulous quality.

2012

After a delayed budbreak, the warm summer saw even temperatures, with cool nights. Wines have delicious fruit; the best show minerally verve.

2011

A challenging year: cool with above-average rainfall. The resulting wines are complex, sleek, fresh, fascinating and highly regarded.