Our Rating
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Some wines just sound like they belong among the stars. With a name like Perseid, inspired by the famous August meteor shower, you’d expect something out of this world. Luckily, Meteor Vineyard delivers. This 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t just a celestial nod; it’s a serious Napa Valley wine from a serious vineyard.
Coming from the Coombsville AVA—one of Napa’s coolest subregions—this wine leans into structure, elegance, and balance rather than sheer power. Aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak, it shows off classic Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics: dark fruit, spice, a touch of minerality, and fine-grained tannins that promise a long life ahead. If you’re a fan of Napa Cabs with depth and nuance, this one deserves a spot in your glass.
Meteor Vineyard might not have centuries of history, but it certainly has pedigree. Founded in 1998 by Barry and Tracy Schuler, the vineyard sits on a prime Coombsville hillside with stony, volcanic soils—ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. Before producing its own label, the vineyard supplied grapes to some of Napa’s most prestigious wineries, including Lail, Favia, and Vineyard 29.
The Schulers weren’t content with simply growing great fruit; they wanted to make world-class wine themselves. Enter legendary vineyard manager Mike Wolf (whose résumé includes Harlan and Bond) and the winemaking duo Bill and Dawnine Dyer. Since their first vintage in 2005, Meteor Vineyard has focused exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon, producing two estate wines that showcase Coombsville’s signature refinement and age-worthy structure.
Dawnine Dyer is a name that carries weight in Napa Valley. A pioneer of California’s sparkling wine movement at Domaine Chandon, she spent decades perfecting her craft before shifting her focus to still wines. Together with her husband, Bill, she has crafted elegant, terroir-driven wines from Napa’s best sites, including their own Dyer Vineyard on Diamond Mountain.
Dawnine’s scientific background and experience with both Old and New World techniques give her wines a unique edge. At Meteor Vineyard, she brings precision and finesse to Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighting the balance between power and elegance. The result? Wines that are structured yet smooth, expressive yet restrained, and always built to age gracefully.
From the first pour, the 2014 Perseid makes a strong impression. Its deep ruby color hints at richness, while the aromas lift effortlessly from the glass—cedar, graphite, black cherry, and a touch of mint. There’s a classic Napa Cabernet profile here, but with a distinctive Coombsville edge: a bit more restraint, a bit more structure, and plenty of aromatic complexity.
On the palate, bold black cherry and ripe blueberry take center stage, supported by layers of cedar, mocha, and a touch of graphite minerality. Oak influence is present but well-integrated, adding hints of vanilla and spice without overwhelming the fruit. There’s also a subtle green pepper note—a nod to the variety’s natural character—balanced by floral undertones of violet.
This is a full-bodied wine with firm yet polished tannins, giving it the kind of structure that will reward patience. The acidity sits just below medium, keeping everything in balance, while the long, lingering finish leaves behind echoes of dark fruit, spice, and a whisper of tobacco.
Give it a two-hour decant to soften the tannins, and it’s ready to enjoy now. But if you have the patience to cellar it for another decade or so, it’s only going to get better.
The 2014 Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid is a prime example of what makes Coombsville special. While Napa’s valley floor wines often chase sheer power, this one leans into refinement, structure, and longevity. It’s bold but balanced, with deep fruit, spice, and fine-grained tannins that will continue to soften with time.
We rate this a solid 94 points, and the critics agree:
At $150, this wine sits in Napa’s premium tier, but it delivers on quality. If you’re looking for a serious Cabernet with the potential to age another decade (or more), the 2014 Perseid is a worthy investment. Just don’t forget to give it a good two-hour decant before you dive in—it’s well worth the wait.
USA
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
14.4
Dawnine Dyer
2 Hours
Now to 2035
Meteor Vineyard
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