94 points
2016 - 2031
The 2014 The Curmudgeon Proprietary Red, 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, is one of his smaller cuvées of only 132 cases. The wine is soft, round, juicy, and has essentially a near-perfect fragrance of flowers and blue and black fruits, but unusual for a Russell Bevan, the aromatics eclipse the palate impression with aggressive tannin and a slightly angular, austere character. This stands out – especially in the company of the rest of the otherworldly products he has produced. This is still an outstanding wine and it may come further together over the next 10-15 years.