“The Cabernet is in near-perfect condition as we head into the second half of September, and we are contemplating an early finish to what promises to be a spectacular vintage,” so says Kristin Belair, winemaker of Napa Valley’s Honig Winery. There are still a number of meteorological events (i.e. rain, cold etc.) that could put a damper, no pun intended, to this otherwise exceptional vintage. As a whole, the winemaking community in Napa Valley is very excited about the growing season up this point, and with the memories of the two more difficult 2010 and 2011 still lingering, their thoughts are of the very successful 2012 and 2013 vintages. 2012 is being lauded as a classic vintage in Napa Valley with perfectly ripened grapes that possess a wonderful balance of acids and sugar. What is especially gratifying to the many talented winemakers in Napa, is the return to normal quantities of harvested fruit. In 2013, the yields at harvest were also in the normal range, and the harvest was actually completed a couple of weeks earlier than in past decades. The full story of 2013 is yet to be told. It does hold much promise and could potentially produce very high quality wines, only time will tell.

Nearly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon at Napa Valleys' Stags Leap Wine Cellars.

In 2014, much of the valley’s Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, which was started in early to mid-August, is now complete, with Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel closely nearing the end of their harvest. Cabernet Sauvignon is in full swing throughout the rest of Napa Valley, and by all accounts, this vintage potentially will be as heralded as 2012. Hopefully what I said earlier about the possibility of rain at this point of the season, which could damage the valleys pride n’ joy Cabernet Sauvignon, doesn’t occur…remember 1998? How ironic that I am worrying about the chance of rain, when California has been in near drought conditions for more than two years. That speaks to the individual terroir that you will find in the state's (country's) most famous wine region. We will just have to hold our breath and hope that nothing bad happens from now until the all the Cab is in, because everything about California wines seems to be better when Napa Valley has one of its stellar vintages.

Ken Amendola, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekena