We’re always beaming with pride whenever we showcase a wine from wine industry icon, Nils Venge. As you likely know by now, Nils was the first winemaker in America to be awarded a perfect 100 point score for one of his wines.

Of course, he went on to win more of wine’s top honors.

Today, we’re thrilled to bring you Nils’ Saddleback Cellars 2014 Napa Valley Pinot Noir, a wine that swept our entire tasting panel off of their wine-loving feet! This wine is very special and I am honored to offer it to you with our very fullest recommendation.

This delightfully impressive Pinot Noir is very full on the nose and bursting with aromas of cherry cola, cherry juice, blackberry, red currant, cranberry, soft spice, woodsy dry forest and a subtle hint of white pepper.

Juicy and balanced on the palate, with equal measures California fruit and old world restraint. Flavors of Bing cherry, cherry cola, dried cranberry, summer forest, subtle spice and subtle white pepper.

This wine is a shining example of perfect Carneros Pinot Noir. The Carneros AVA (American Viticultural Area) which was officially designated in 1983, straddles Sonoma and Napa Counties, and is the cradle of California Pinot Noir. For some, Carneros is the only place from which they’ll purchase California Pinot Noir. This is because the soils and climate here closely mimic Burgundy, in France.

For those that love history, here’s a brief overview of Nils Venge’s illustrious career:

1970 - Nils got his first job in Napa as a vineyard supervisor in charge of planting operations at Charles Krug Winery.

1972 - Nils was hired as co-vineyard manager in charge of 400 acres at Sterling Vineyards.

1973 - Nils took over operations at Villa Mount Eden as General Manager and at Inception as Winemaker. Here he made two Cabernet Sauvignons, the 1974 and 1978, which not only put Villa Mount Eden on the map, but are still talked about today.

1976 - Nils and his father-in-law purchased the property now known as Saddleback Cellars.

1982 – 1993 - Nils moved westward in Oakville as a minority partner with Dennis Groth and formed Groth Vineyard where he resumed a position of general manager and winemaker. Here is where his expertise as winemaker became known worldwide when Robert Parker, Jr. gave the 1985 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve a perfect score – 100 points! The first ever given to a California winemaker.

1982 - Nils produces his first label Saddleback Cellars to be released in 1983.

1993 - Nils leaves Groth winery so that he can focus on Saddleback Cellars and consult for other wineries.