Unearthing a Rare Gem: 2014 Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon

A rare and captivating vintage that tells the story of an elusive Cabernet clone — a bold expression of terroir, time, and craft.

What Makes Clone 6 So Unique?

Clone 6 is often referred to as the “mystery clone” among viticulturists. Its exact origin is unclear—it’s believed to have arrived in California from Bordeaux sometime before the phylloxera outbreak, but it wasn’t officially cataloged or certified until decades later (Galet, 2000; UC Davis Foundation Plant Services). For years, it quietly persisted in old California vineyards, preserved not for its productivity, but for its intensely flavorful fruit and powerful structure. 

Unlike modern clones chosen for consistency and yield, Clone 6 is prized for complexity over convenience. It’s notoriously low-yielding—partly because of a tendency toward shatter (poor fruit set), and partly because the berries themselves are tiny, thick-skinned, and often contain just one seed (Winkler et al., 1974; Robinson, 2015). While this leads to fewer clusters per vine, it also results in a high skin-to-juice ratio, which gives wines made from Clone 6 their deep color, firm tannins, and intensely layered character. 

The 2014 Vintage: A Singular Expression 

Parrish Family Vineyard's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 is a snapshot of a special moment in our vineyard’s history. This was the only year Clone 6 was produced on our estate, making it not just rare, but a one-of-a-kind expression of our land and this enigmatic clone. 

Color: The wine is beginning its graceful evolution—shifting from ruby to garnet—hinting at its age, but still holding onto youthful vibrancy. 

Nose: A richly developed bouquet with coffee, dark chocolate, toffee, and a trace of charred wood, underscored by dried fruits like fig, prune, and cranberry, and lifted by ripe notes of black cherry, plum, and blackberry. There’s even a whiff of petrichor—that earthy aroma after rain—bringing a grounded complexity. 

Palate: On the palate, it’s bold yet balanced, with medium-plus acidity and a chalky tannin structure that adds grip and texture. It carries its age well—still fruit-forward, suggesting this wine could cellar for a couple more years, though it’s beautifully drinkable now. The long finish lingers with dark fruit and a touch of mocha.

Because of the high phenolic content and firm structure that Clone 6 is known for, this wine is both age-worthy and expressive of terroir. It’s the kind of wine that evolves beautifully in the glass—and rewards slow sipping and reflection.

Why You Should Decant This Wine 

One of the most rewarding ways to experience this wine is to decant it. As the 2014 Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon is introduced to oxygen, it begins to unfold and evolve in the glass. What starts as brooding and tightly wound opens into layers of richness, revealing new notes and textures with time. 

Decanting helps soften the chalky tannins and allows the complex aromatics—fig, coffee, charred wood, and dark cherry—to rise and integrate more fully. If you're patient, you'll notice the wine becoming more expressive and harmonious by the minute. In short, this is a wine that rewards time and attention. 

A Wine to Remember 

Because Clone 6 is so rare—both in the vineyard and the marketplace—this 2014 vintage is something truly special. Many wineries blend Clone 6 into their wines to add depth, but few dare to bottle it on its own (Goldfarb, 2018). Its scarcity, combined with the meticulous farming and winemaking that went into it, makes each sip a conversation piece. 

So as you savor this glass, know that you are drinking not just a wine, but a living archive of Clone 6’s bold personality. Our Anniversary Party may be the only time you taste Clone 6 from Parrish Family Vineyard—but as we like to say, the best wines always leave you wanting more.

Join us Saturday, August 2nd for our Anniversary Party as we will be featuring this special wine for the event! Tickets can be purchased here.