Winemaker Notes
-Wine Advocate
Rich nose with some spice, black tea, toast with hints of cedar and leather and crushed blackberries. Good structure, rich full middle, almost cream like, rich ripe currants, sweet tannins. Great balance between the fruit, oak, and acid. Should age 7-9 years, and hold for 10 more years. 60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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.