Iconic Napa Vineyard at 50% Off? Kelly Fleming’s Rare Cab Opportunity

2014 Kelly Fleming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release) (Elsewhere $180) $79.95

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 24, 2025

I can barely believe that we have the chance to offer library wines from this iconic estate and at unheard of pricing! For those that haven't experienced these wines before, Kelly Fleming estate is a world-class vineyard in one of the most sought after and celebrated neighborhoods in Napa Valley. Tucked into Simmons Canyon just south of Calistoga, immediate neighbors include the legendary Eisele Vineyard (now owned by Chateau Latour) and Hundred Acre's "Few & Far Between" estate. Both of those wines sell for $650 and $750 respectively and have many 100-point scores. The founding winemaker at Kelly Fleming was Celia Welch (Scarecrow, Staglin, Paradigm etc) and was then taken over by Rebecca George (Celia's assistant winemaker) with Françoise Peschon (Eisele / Araujo, Vine Hill Ranch, Heimark, Cornell) as a consulting partner. The estate is farmed by Mike Wolf, one of the foremost viticulturalists in the region. Just a few hundred cases are made each year crafted and matured in underground caves dug into the Vaca Mountains immediately adjacent to the vineyard. This is true First Growth material confirmed as such when the property was purchased by Jayson Woodbridge of Hundred Acre in 2024 for an undisclosed sum.

So long story short, these wines come from one of the most incredible sites in the valley, farmed by one of the valley's best teams, and the wine is crafted by some of the most talented and proven winemakers of a generation. Next year, under the Hundred Acre label, these wines will be $750+ per bottle. What's more, in my humble opinion, these classically styled wines with incredible ageing potential and subtle terroir driven nuances, will be very hard to match even by Hundred Acre.

Now, call me contrary, but the 2014 was my personal favorite (at least for drinking right now) from the trio of 2014, 2016, 2018. Despite the others being rewarded higher point scores, I was simply enamored with the 2014 effortless grace, perfect balance, and evolution seemingly right on the sweet spot as primary fruit flavors are in lock-step with complex secondary aromas and flavors that make this wine so alluring. The 2014 vintage in general seems to have gotten lost in between the much celebrated 2013s and the ultra-concentrated, drought affected 2015s. The 2014s were never dramatic, nor overly effusive wines, they didn't make a big splash on release, however, they have always had lovely proportions and an innate sense of balance. This poise has led to the wines developing very nicely and most certainly they have exceeded many peoples expectations. The 2014 Kelly Fleming Cabernet Sauvignon at ten years in bottle still has lovely purity of red to black fruits; blackcurrant, bramble fruit, camphor, unsmoked cigar, pencil shavings. The tannins are very fine, elegant, silky. The wine is mouth-filling and rich, but so elegant and supple at the same time. It's in a sublime spot right now and will no doubt go on drinking perfectly for at least 5-10 years and for folks who like more developed wines, I imagine this wine will drink through 2040.

Aaron Hughes | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 23, 2025

Wow. This wine is truly an impressive offering, an offering that seems practically ridiculous when you understand the pedigree of the fruit coming from this vineyard. Found tucked between Eisele Vineyard and one of Hundred Acre's estate vineyards, this land has since been purchased by Hundred Acre for an undisclosed sum and will be going into wines 10x the price. The nose opens with gorgeous sweet black fruits, bramble fruit and Bing cherries and then lunging into more savory territory with cedar, anise, dried herbs and a light dusting of sweet cocoa. The palate is rich and full with a medium density, leaving a bright core with a lengthy barrel-driven finish. There's a lush stewed and dried fruit and touches of tobacco and pencil shavings that gives way to those warm oak spices. This is exactly the type of Cabernet Sauvignon that I just can't get enough of, dense and dark enough to be intriguing but not so dense I can't find my footing, drinking my way through the bottle a glass at a time. Absolutely glorious and just as nice at twice the price. A perfect candidate for that ribeye and fat potato you've had on your mind all week.

2016 Kelly Fleming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release) (Elsewhere $200) $99.95

97+ points Vinous: "A towering, statuesque wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is every bit as impressive as it has been on past tastings. In the glass, the 2016 is powerful, dense and explosive, with tremendous energy and sheer power. The dark, muscular intensity of Calistoga comes through loud and clear. As magnificent as it is today, I get the impression the 2016s might still be on the ascent! (AG)" (01/2020)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "From 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a saturated purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, toasted spice, dried soil, and cedar pencil. Classic Cabernet Sauvignon all the way, with full body, ripe, present tannin, and a great finish, this brilliant effort can be drunk any time over the coming two decades." (01/2019)

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 23, 2025

The 2016 is an explosive wine, showing the true power and concentration of the vintage. After many years of severe drought, the rains during the winter of 2015-2016 provided the vines much-needed revitalization, and the next-to-perfect warm growing season produced wines with huge fruit and structure, similar to the much heralded 2013 vintage. At 9 years of age, this wine is only just now hitting its stride, with primary fruit and bold concentration still controlling most of the narrative. Subtle hints of cedar, cigar box, and new leather are starting to peek through the mulberry, plum, and cassis fruit streaked with graphite, mountain chaparral, and volcanic rock mineral. Powerful and brooding, but refined and complex all at once, this is a fascinating wine to study over a few hours in the decanter or enjoy over a few more decades in the cellar. $100 won’t buy you anything more impressive or pedigreed anywhere else on the planet.

2018 Kelly Fleming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release) (Elsewhere $200) $99.95

97 points Vinous: "If I had to pick a wine that encapsulates the essence of Calistoga, it might very well be Kelly Fleming's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. The darkness, the depth, the brawn, the pure power, the intense savoriness. It's all there in a majestic, explosive Cabernet that dazzles from the very first taste. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it is going to need a number of years to settle down. Time in the glass brings out hints of blackberry, plum, grilled herbs, scorched earth, leather, sweet pipe tobacco and sage. Inky and spectacularly rich, and yet not at all overdone, the 2018 simply has it all. It's another tour de force from winemaker Becky George and proprietor Kelly Fleming. Don't miss it. (AG)" (01/2021)

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 24, 2025

The 2018 is a monumental Cabernet, one that is likely to be a 50 year wine. Densely coiled black fruits, laced with graphite, leather, mountain herbs, and cigar box tones. Mulberry, damson preserve, blackcurrant, hints of wild mint, cedar, toasted spices and dusty, loamy earth. Powerful linear intensity, with a serious, refined tannin structure, wonderful freshness and lift. This wine is really only just starting to show its true potential like a First Growth Bordeaux, the class and potential is all there from the start, all you need to do and try and be patient and let it unfurl. The good news is that even if you can't keep your hands off it, the wine is pretty darn magical even at this young stage. Just make sure you hide a couple away for later, you'll thank me for sure!