Winemaker Notes
Meticulous work in the vineyard, and careful sorting of the fruit in the winery, made for an exceptional bottling of Dancing Hares Vineyard from 2011 vintage. The wine is robust but soft and generous, with notes of brambly black fruits, forest floor, and pipe tobacco. While the wine is juicy and generous, it also offers many layers of interest to contemplate. A strict selection of barrels during blending means that this release of Dancing Hares will be very limited. Those lucky enough to receive the wine will be happy now, and for years to come.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Dense and decadent, with rich, mocha-covered currant and blackberry flavors, with fresh black licorice, cedar and dried herb notes. Finishes with tight, gripping tannins, but the flavors push through in an impressive way. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022.
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.