Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2001 Thorevilos is another example of what may well be Napa Valley’s version of Ausone, and one of the single greatest vineyard sites in California. One could say this is world-class, but it’s really all-universe. A tour de force in winemaking, with notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with subtle white chocolate, espresso roast, cassis, blackberry and perfumed, floral notes, it is full-bodied, with great flavor purity, a skyscraper-like texture, and a remarkable finish, with a seamless integration of all component parts. This is extraordinary wine that everyone who loves wine should at least taste once or twice in their lifetime. Both of these wines are adolescents, and probably won’t peak for another 5-8 years and keep for 30-40.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.