Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Eloge is a Bordeaux-styled red composed of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, nearly one-third Cabernet Franc, and tiny dollops of Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aromas of soy, tea, damp earth, spicy oak, flowers, black currants, and cherries emerge from the 2003 Eloge. Full-bodied, powerful, complex, and broad, this gorgeous offering is irresistible at present, and should evolve for 15+ years.
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.