Winemaker Notes

A uniquely cool and late growing season, 2011 delivered wines with dark color, natural acidity and freshness, and a decidedly European aromatic profile. The fruit extracted easily in the fermenters, and the resulting wine went straight to barrel without settling or fining. The latest vintage of Mad Hatter is immediately open and enjoyable, with great complexity and interest. While dark and concentrated, the wine has soft, polished tannins and can be enjoyed without decanting. While at this point this vintage is already in a good place, it will continue to evolve for the coming 10-12 years.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 61%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 13%, Petit Verdot 4%

Professional Ratings

  • 90
    Offers a solid core of rich, dense cedar, dark berry and crushed rock notes, ending firmly tannic and chewy, with persistent flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022. 2,000 cases made. –JL
Amulet Estate

Amulet Estate

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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.

DHVMADHATTER_2011 Item# 393257