Smoking Gun Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Smoking Gun Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced by William Cole Vineyards, bottled at approximately 14.4% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2014 vintage earned 91 points from Virginie Boone of Wine Enthusiast, underscoring its standing among Napa's serious, small-production reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.4%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2014  |  Producer: William Cole Vineyards

Production & Heritage

William Cole Vineyards is a family-run estate in Napa Valley where founder and winemaker Bill Cole — formerly winemaker at the acclaimed St. Clement Winery — produces every wine entirely by his own hand. The 2014 Smoking Gun is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc blended in depending on the vintage's character. Aging in toasted oak barrels contributes the smoky undertone that gives the label its name, and the single-winemaker approach results in a level of hands-on control rare even among boutique Napa producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep ruby in the glass, the 2014 opens with ripe black cherry and boysenberry that give way to sandalwood and a subtle thread of anise. Underneath, dried currant and fresh strawberry jam add a layered sweetness to the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is generous with dark fruit — black and red cherries lead into a mid-palate of fig compote and chocolate-coated blueberry. As the wine develops across the tongue, unsweetened chocolate, hibiscus, and date emerge, lending complexity without heavy tannin grip.

Finish: The finish is lingering and soft, defined by sweet oak and a wisp of barrel smoke that mirrors the wine's name. Fruit and toast persist in balanced proportion, tapering gradually rather than dropping off.

How to Drink Smoking Gun

This is a wine that rewards a generous pour into a large-bowled glass at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F; thirty minutes of air after opening lets the darker fruit and chocolate notes fully express themselves. For cocktail-adjacent serves, Smoking Gun's bold fruit and toasty oak make it an excellent base for a Cabernet Sangria with blackberries, orange peel, and a splash of brandy; a Kalimotxo, the Basque red wine and cola drink, where the smoky finish adds dimension; or a warming Mulled Wine in cooler months, where the existing spice notes of anise and sandalwood harmonize naturally with cinnamon and clove.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley enthusiast who values artisan, single-winemaker production
• Anchoring a steak or prime rib dinner with a structured, fruit-forward red
• Adding a critically recognized 2014 Napa Cabernet to a home cellar collection
• Hosting a blind tasting comparing boutique Napa Cabs against larger-production labels

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Smoking Gun taste like? Smoking Gun 2014 delivers ripe black cherry and fig compote up front, transitioning into unsweetened chocolate, boysenberry, and date, with a soft finish of sweet oak and barrel smoke.

How does Smoking Gun compare to Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are fruit-forward Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, but Smoking Gun comes from a much smaller, single-winemaker operation at William Cole Vineyards, giving it a more artisanal character. Caymus is produced in significantly larger quantities and tends toward a richer, more extracted style, while Smoking Gun leans on toasted-barrel smokiness and a softer tannin structure.

Is Smoking Gun good for sipping neat? Yes — the 2014's balanced tannins, layered dark fruit, and gentle smoky finish make it well suited for drinking on its own, especially with thirty minutes of breathing time after opening.

Where is Smoking Gun made? Smoking Gun is produced by William Cole Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, where winemaker Bill Cole personally handles every stage of production from crush to bottle.

What foods pair well with Smoking Gun? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and oak; lamb chops with rosemary echo its herbal sandalwood note; aged Gouda or Gruyère match its chocolate and smoke; braised short ribs mirror the fig and date richness; and dark chocolate desserts amplify the unsweetened cocoa element on the palate.

What sizes does Smoking Gun come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Smoking Gun worth the price? Smoking Gun positions as a mid-tier Napa Valley Cabernet that punches above its weight given the entirely handmade production and its 91-point score from Wine Enthusiast — strong credentials relative to many Napa Cabernets at comparable or higher price tiers.

Why Smoking Gun?

What separates the 2014 Smoking Gun from the crowded field of Napa Cabernets is the fact that a single pair of hands — those of Bill Cole, a veteran winemaker whose résumé includes a tenure at St. Clement Winery — touches every aspect of its creation. The 91-point recognition from Wine Enthusiast's Virginie Boone validates the quality of this artisanal approach. Its signature barrel-smoke character, unusual among fruit-driven Napa reds, gives the wine a distinct identity that stands apart from larger-production competitors. For collectors and drinkers seeking a Napa Cab with genuine provenance and personality over volume, Smoking Gun delivers substance behind the name.