Winemaker Notes
Deep, dark, black oil with touches of mauve on the rim. Beautiful nose of spices and flowers, such as thyme and lilacs with a touch of roses, dark chocolate cherries and gingerbread. On the palate, fresh, fruity entrance evolving on granular integrated tannins lingering on juicy fruit such as black currant, plum and boysenberries.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very pretty and fruity with balance and finesse of currants, berries and herbs. Medium body, ripe tannins and a delicious finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, the 2017 Proprietary Red Wine is one of the larger production releases from the estate. Deep purple/plum-hued, it offers a great bouquet of blueberries, chocolate, violets, and graphite. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, ripe, nicely textured 2017 that has terrific balance and length.
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Wine Spectator
Enticing, with crushed plum and blackberry notes that have a plush edge, while a fine mineral accent runs underneath. Anise, apple wood and warm fruitcake details fill in on the finish. Well-built for the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2021 through 2032.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Proprietary Red is made up of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls sensuously out of the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, kirsch, mulberries and warm plums with nuances of black tea, pencil lead, tapenade and dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness framing the vibrant fruit, finishing on a lingering minty note.
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.