The 2025 growing season in St. Helena will be one I remember for its elegant texture, dark aromatics and refined tannins . The year began with good spring warmth fueled by a couple heat spikes but soon mellowed into a long, even summer. The vines responded with calm energy, setting a strong crop that ripened slowly and gracefully. What began as a warm year turned into a season defined by moderation, with sunlight gentle enough to preserve freshness and tannins that developed with fine precision.

By late September, a touch of rain arrived – light but perfectly timed. It cooled the canopy, washing the dust from the leaves and refreshing the fruit just when the vines were beginning to tire. This brief reprieve extended the ripening window, allowing flavors to deepen without losing balance. The clusters came in firm and intact, with small, concentrated berries that carried both vibrancy and depth. Fermentations revealed aromatics of dark fruit – black plum, cassis, a whisper of cocoa – and a texture that is both supple and refined.

For me, the 2025 vintage at Taplin reflects a kind of quiet confidence: nature showing us that patience often brings harmony. The wines promise elegance and tamed power, with acidity to carry them gracefully for years to come. It is a vintage that speaks softly but with great persistence – a true expression of St. Helena’s resilience and the subtle beauty of balance.