Hundred Acre
Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
2011
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2018-2039).
In 2026, the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is at peak, entering its eighth year of prime drinking. Among all the Kayli Morgan vintages, the 2011 occupies a completely singular position: rather than the opulent blueberry of 2015 or the aromatic complexity of 2014 or the structured precision of 2013, the 2011 offers something that the flawless vintages cannot replicate - the kind of aromatic beauty that emerges only when a site of genuine character is tested by difficult conditions. The WS 88 Very Good rainy 2011 Napa harvest stripped concentration from most valley-floor producers, but at the Kayli Morgan site the combination of site-specific terroir and extreme viticulture delivered a wine of crystalline acidity, fine tannins, and floral aromatics of dried rose petal, violet, and iris that are arguably more complex than those of richer years. Eight years into peak in 2026, these aromatics have developed into something extraordinary: the primary floral notes have deepened toward dried herbs and cedar while the crystalline acidity that characterized this wine from its first showing has kept the wine vivid and alive through a decade of patient aging. With 13 years remaining in the peak window through 2039, the 2011 is a wine for collectors who value character over power.
The ‘11 Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
The most delicate and unexpected Kayli Morgan ever made, the 2011 defied the rainy Napa vintage to produce a wine of dried rose petal, violet, and iris aromatics that eight years of age have rendered absolutely ethereal.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Luminous, refined garnet with a transparency that the richer Kayli Morgan vintages cannot show - a visual signal of this wine's identity as an elegance-over-power expression of the site. The nose is extraordinary for Napa Cabernet: dried rose petal, violet, and iris open the aromatic profile with a floral delicacy that feels almost Burgundian in its character, joined by black cherry and iron mineral that ground the aromatics in the terroir's structural identity. Eight years of bottle age have deepened these notes toward warm cedar and dried herb complexity while preserving the primary floral thread that makes the 2011 so unusual. On the palate the wine is defined by finesse: fine, fully integrated tannins, crystalline acidity that has kept this wine fresh and precise through eight years of peak drinking, and a graceful mid-palate of pure dark cherry and warm cedar that fades to a delicate herb-tinged finish of considerable length. There is nothing about this wine that resembles the opulent, generous character of warmer-vintage Kayli Morgans. It achieves beauty through restraint, and eight years in, that beauty is fully realized.
The 2011 vintage
The 2011 Napa Valley vintage earned a Wine Spectator Very Good rating of 88 points from a rare rainy harvest that produced variable quality across the appellation. Cool, wet conditions through much of the growing season meant that few sites received the sun exposure needed to achieve full ripeness, and Wine Spectator noted that quality among the best wines tended toward aromatic range and nuance rather than power and concentration. The vintage was also identified as a turning point: alongside 2010, it marked a period when top Napa producers began reconsidering the hyperripe, high-extraction style that had defined the appellation in the previous decade. For the Kayli Morgan site, these conditions proved strangely revealing: without the warmth to drive opulence, the site's natural floral terroir character - the dried rose petal and violet aromatics that define the Kayli Morgan identity - came through with unusual clarity and purity, producing a wine more fragrant than any warm-vintage Kayli Morgan in the recent lineup.
About Hundred Acre
Jayson Woodbridge has described the Kayli Morgan Vineyard as the site in the Hundred Acre portfolio that most clearly speaks for itself - and the 2011 vintage proved that claim definitively. In years of ample warmth and sunshine, the Kayli Morgan produces its familiar profile of blueberry, dark cherry, and crushed violet in a plush, generous style. In the cool, challenging 2011, with warmth stripped away, what remained was the site's pure terroir character: dried rose petal, iris, and iron mineral at a delicacy and precision that the richer years overlay with fruit concentration. Woodbridge's winemaking approach here favors whole-berry fermentation and careful extraction management to preserve aromatic integrity rather than maximize extraction, with aging in new and neutral French oak that provides structural support without obscuring the terroir. The result in 2011 was the most revealing expression of the Kayli Morgan site's true aromatic identity. Production is limited and allocated through the mailing list.
From the cellar: pair with
Rack of Lamb with Lavender and Herb Crust
The wine's dried rose petal and iris aromatics harmonize with the lavender-herb crust while the fine crystalline tannins integrate with the lean rack without overwhelming the delicate herbal character.
Wild Salmon with Pinot Noir Reduction and Fresh Herbs
Unusually for Napa Cabernet, the 2011's crystalline acidity and fine tannins make it capable of pairing with rich salmon; the black cherry reduction bridges the gap while the herb finish complements the preparation.
Aged Epoisse or Washed-Rind Munster
The wine's floral aromatics and crystalline acidity match the assertive, complex depth of washed-rind cheese in a way that richer fuller Kayli Morgan vintages cannot - finesse finds finesse.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 58-61F (14-16C)
- Decanting
- Decant 20 to 30 minutes only in 2026. The 2011 is the most delicate and evolved Kayli Morgan in the current lineup and requires very little aeration - the crystalline acidity and fine tannins are fully resolved after eight years of peak drinking, and the dried rose petal and violet aromatics are immediately accessible. A short 20 to 30 minute decant in a tulip-shaped decanter is sufficient to lift the aromatics. Avoid longer decanting, which risks softening the herb-tinged finish. Serve at a slightly cooler 58-61F to preserve the aromatic delicacy.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, stored on its side in a vibration-free environment.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Napa Valley, California, USA
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to drink the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011?
In 2026 this wine is at peak, entering its eighth year of prime drinking, with 13 years of optimal enjoyment remaining through 2039. The 2011 is the most delicate and unusual Kayli Morgan in the current peak lineup - a wine that rewards those who value aromatic complexity and restraint over power. Eight years in, the primary dried rose petal and violet character has deepened toward warm cedar and dried herbs while remaining vivid, making 2026 an extraordinary moment for a bottle that defied the difficult 2011 Napa vintage. See [Napa Valley wines](/wines/region/napa-valley) for context on the challenging 2011 growing season.
Should I decant the Kayli Morgan 2011 before serving?
Decant only 20 to 30 minutes in 2026. The 2011 is the most delicate and evolved Kayli Morgan in the current lineup and requires very little aeration - the crystalline acidity and fine tannins are fully resolved after eight years of peak drinking, and the dried rose petal and violet aromatics are immediately accessible. A short decant in a tulip-shaped decanter is all that is needed. Avoid longer decanting, which risks softening the herb-tinged finish. Serve at a slightly cooler 58-61F to preserve the aromatic delicacy.
What makes the 2011 Kayli Morgan so unusual compared to other vintages from this site?
The 2011 is the only Kayli Morgan in the peak lineup to come from a genuinely difficult vintage - the WS 88 Very Good rainy harvest that stripped warmth from most of Napa. Rather than producing a diminished wine, the cool conditions allowed the Kayli Morgan site's natural floral terroir character to show with unusual purity: dried rose petal, iris, and violet at a delicacy and precision that warmer years overlay with blueberry and cassis concentration. Collectors compare it to a site-revelation year. Compare with [Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2013](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2013) and [Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2015](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2015) for the same site in Classic and opulent vintage conditions. See [Cabernet Sauvignon wines](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon) for broader context.
What foods pair best with the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2011?
The 2011's dried rose petal and violet aromatics, fine crystalline tannins, black cherry mid-palate, and herb-tinged finish make it one of the most food-flexible Kayli Morgans in the lineup. Rack of lamb with lavender and herb crust, wild salmon with Pinot Noir reduction, and washed-rind cheeses like aged Epoisse or Munster all work exceptionally well. The crystalline acidity and lighter body of the 2011 - unusual for Napa Cabernet - opens up pairing possibilities that the richer 2014 or 2015 vintages simply do not have.
How long can I cellar the 2011 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan?
The 2011 Kayli Morgan has a peak window running through 2039, with hard decline not expected until 2048. In 2026 the wine has 13 years of optimal drinking remaining. The crystalline acidity that defines this wine's character has kept the wine vivid and fresh through eight years of peak drinking and will continue to sustain it through the 2030s, evolving toward more dried herb and cedar complexity as the floral character gradually transitions to more secondary notes. Store at 55F, 60-70% humidity, on its side. See also [Hundred Acre Ark Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011](/wines/hundred-acre/ark-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2011) for a comparison of how the 2011 vintage expressed across two Hundred Acre single-vineyard sites.