Hundred Acre
Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
2014
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2021-2042).
In 2026, the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is at peak, entering its fifth year of prime drinking. The Classic 2014 vintage gave the Kayli Morgan site the extra aromatic range that Wine Spectator identified as the vintage's signature quality - and this wine delivers that range in its most floral, perfumed register. Five years into peak in 2026, the velvety tannins have fully integrated into the concentrated dark fruit, and the sumptuous cherry, violet, and cassis notes that defined this wine on release have deepened into a more complex secondary profile of licorice, espresso, dark chocolate, and warm cedar bottle age. The perfumed quality that makes the Kayli Morgan site distinctive persists through five years in the peak window and into 2026, with the violet and crushed floral notes still present alongside the developing secondary complexity. With 16 years remaining in the peak window through 2042, this wine has the structure for continued evolution - but 2026 represents the moment of maximum harmony between the site's aromatic character and the bottle's developed complexity.
The ‘14 Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2014 Kayli Morgan may be the most complete expression of this site in the label's history - pairing the Classic vintage's power and aromatic depth with the site's signature perfume and violet character.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Deep, luminous garnet in the glass with the full-bodied presence of a Napa Cabernet built for seriousness and the lifted aromatic character of the Kayli Morgan site's distinctive terroir. The nose is sumptuous and perfumed: black cherry and crushed violet open with the site's signature floral delicacy, followed immediately by dark cassis and warm cedar that deepen the aromatic profile toward the Classic vintage's characteristic structural range. Dark chocolate and sweet tobacco add richness behind the floral notes, creating a nose of unusual complexity that continues to evolve with time in the glass. On the palate the wine is plush and deeply concentrated, delivering the velvety, seamless tannin texture that the Kayli Morgan site produces even in structured vintages. Wave after wave of dark fruit carries through the mid-palate - black cherry, cassis, licorice - building through espresso and dark chocolate toward a finish that sustains impressively long. The violet and crushed floral thread that runs through the entire palate keeps the wine lifted even at its deepest point, balancing concentration with aromatic freshness. A wine that delivers both seriousness and beauty simultaneously.
The 2014 vintage
The 2014 Napa Valley vintage earned a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 95 points and stands out among recent years for its combination of structural depth and extra aromatic complexity. The vintage began with an unusual weather event: heavy rains in February and March provided the vines with an early moisture boost, though not enough to break the ongoing drought that had persisted since 2012. From those winter rains, warm, dry conditions took hold through the growing season, driving an early harvest with unusual ripeness consistency across the valley. Wine Spectator noted that the 2014 wines showed power and depth alongside an additional aromatic range that distinguished them from the more simply powerful 2015. For the Kayli Morgan site, which already produces Cabernet of exceptional perfume and violet character, the 2014's extra aromatic dimension produced a wine that wine critics have cited as among the most complete expressions of this terroir in the label's history.
About Hundred Acre
Jayson Woodbridge's Kayli Morgan Vineyard has built its reputation on an aromatic character unlike most Napa Cabernet - a site that consistently produces black cherry, violet, and crushed floral notes in a plush, seamlessly textured style that collectors have compared to the finest perfumed expressions from Burgundy's most aromatic terroirs. Named for Woodbridge's daughter, the vineyard is the estate's most delicate and perfumed label, occupying a distinct position alongside the iron-mineral-driven Few and Far Between and the power-forward Ark Vineyard. The winemaking approach emphasizes preservation of aromatic intensity through small open-top fermenters, extended maceration with careful extraction management, and aging in new French oak selected to provide structural support without masking the site's natural perfume. Production is limited and allocated exclusively through the mailing list.
From the cellar: pair with
Duck Breast with Dark Cherry and Cassis Sauce
The wine's black cherry and cassis concentration mirror the sauce directly; the velvety tannins integrate with the lean duck protein without gripping, and the violet finish lifts both wine and dish.
Filet Mignon with Black Truffle and Mushroom Duxelles
The wine's espresso and dark chocolate mid-palate notes complement the earthiness of mushroom duxelles while the plush tannin texture provides a seamless bridge to the tender beef.
Aged Manchego or Aged Ossau-Iraty
The wine's persistent violet and floral aromatics find a natural counterpart in the slightly floral, nutty character of aged sheep's milk cheese; the sumptuous tannin structure lifts the cheese without dominating it.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-63F (16-17C)
- Decanting
- Decant 60 to 75 minutes in 2026. At five years into peak, the 2014 Kayli Morgan is more open and evolved than younger vintages of this label and does not require aggressive aeration. A moderate decant will lift the black cherry, violet, and cassis aromatics and allow the espresso and dark chocolate notes on the mid-palate to emerge fully. Avoid extended decanting beyond 1.5 hours, which risks softening the persistent floral thread that keeps the wine lifted and distinctive. Serve at 60-63F for the best expression of both the dark fruit and the aromatic complexity.
- 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 2014?
In 2026 this wine is at peak, entering its fifth year of prime drinking, with 16 years of optimal enjoyment remaining through 2042. Five years into peak, the velvety tannins are fully integrated and the secondary complexity of licorice, espresso, and dark chocolate has developed alongside the site's persistent violet and cherry character. Opening a bottle now delivers the wine at a moment of maximum harmony between perfumed aromatics and developed secondary complexity. For those who prefer the most primary floral expression of this site, the [Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2016](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2016) shows the same terroir in a leaner, more linear form. See [Napa Valley wines](/wines/region/napa-valley) for broader context.
Should I decant the Kayli Morgan 2014 before serving?
Yes, decant 60 to 75 minutes in 2026. At five years into peak, the 2014 Kayli Morgan is more open and evolved than younger vintages of this label and does not require aggressive aeration. A moderate 60 to 75 minute rest in a wide decanter will lift the black cherry, violet, and cassis aromatics and allow the espresso and dark chocolate notes on the mid-palate to emerge fully. Avoid extended decanting beyond 1.5 hours, which risks softening the persistent floral thread that keeps the wine lifted and distinctive. Serve at 60-63F for the best expression of both the dark fruit and the aromatic complexity.
What foods pair best with the Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2014?
The wine's sumptuous cherry and cassis concentration, velvety tannins, and violet and espresso finish make it an ideal match for duck breast with dark cherry sauce, filet mignon with mushroom duxelles, and aged sheep's milk cheeses like Manchego or Ossau-Iraty. The plush, seamless tannin texture of the 2014 gives this wine unusual flexibility at the table compared to more tannic Napa Cabernets - lean proteins like duck breast and filet mignon allow the perfumed aromatic character to show without competition. See [Cabernet Sauvignon wines](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon) for broader pairing context across the varietal.
How does the 2014 Kayli Morgan compare to other vintages from this site?
The 2014 is frequently cited as among the most complete Kayli Morgan vintages, combining the Classic vintage's power and aromatic depth with the site's signature black cherry and violet perfume. Compared to the opulent [Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan 2015](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2015), which is more richly fruited and immediately generous, the 2014 has a more structured, complex aromatic profile that reflects the Classic vintage's extra range. Compared to the more precise 2016, the 2014 is plusher and more primary in its floral expression. See the [Hundred Acre Few and Far Between 2014](/wines/hundred-acre/few-and-far-between-cabernet-sauvignon/2014) for a direct comparison of how the same Classic vintage expresses across two Hundred Acre sites.
How long can I cellar the 2014 Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan?
The 2014 Kayli Morgan has a peak window running through 2042, with hard decline not expected until 2051. In 2026 the wine has 16 years of peak drinking remaining. While five years into peak makes this the most evolved of the current Kayli Morgan lineup, the persistent violet and floral character of the site provides a structural backbone that will sustain the wine through continued cellaring. Expect the primary cherry and cassis to develop further toward dried fruit, tobacco, and leather through the 2030s. Store at 55F, 60-70% humidity, on its side. See also [Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015](/wines/hundred-acre/kayli-morgan-vineyard-cabernet-sauvignon/2015) for comparison of two back-to-back vintages from this site.