2014 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate Vineyard St. Helena 750 ml

Vineyard 29 was founded in 1989 with cuttings from neighbors Grace Family Vineyards—Napa’s original cult winery—which were planted by the legendary David Abreu. The winemaking facility was designed by John Lail, and for the past 20+ years, the winemaking duties have been handled seamlessly by Philippe Melka and Keith Emerson, two Tier-1, 100-point Cabernet craftsmen. 

The winery is Napa Valley’s under-the-radar cult estate, and their 2014 V29 Aida Estate Cab is a velvety, palate-caressing wine that stands with the Colgins and Schraders of the world.  

In 2000, Chuck and Anne McMinn purchased Vineyard 29, a St. Helena stronghold with a three-acre vineyard that had recently been planted with Grace Family cuttings by renowned viticulturist David Abreu. Almost coincidentally, they pulled the trigger a second time, securing one of the most coveted, rocky sites in primetime St. Helena, the famed Aida Vineyard. 

Then Chuck put in a call to Philippe Melka, the Bordeaux émigré who is thought in some circles to be the most talented Cabernet-maker this side of Château Latour. Melka brought Keith Emerson on in 2005, and they made this wine together. Emerson is now President and CEO of Vineyard 29, and for good reason—why would the McMinns ever turn away from the man who has made some of the most profound wines in their existence? 

The Aida Vineyard is legendary for its opulence. Prized for grape-growing since the 1920s, it was from this site that Larry Turley produced some of his most famous Zinfandels. Parker himself has remarked: “I find the winemaking approach much more suitable to the estate’s Aida vineyard, a warm, early maturing site that tends towards richness.”