Aquinas Philosopher's Red Blend 2009 Front Label
Aquinas Philosopher's Red Blend 2009 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Crafted only in years when our Napa Valley fruit is deemed exceptional, Philosopher's Blend is the ultimate Aquinas wine. For the 2009 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon was artfully blended with small amounts of Merlot and Petite Sirah, and barrel aged for 36 months. The wine opens with concentrated notes of boysenberry and dried currant complemented by cedary cigar box notes imparted by 100% French oak. Flavors of black raspberry, dried cherry and cassis dominate with hints of dark chocolate and espresso rounding out the palate. This full-bodied Napa Valley wine exhibits a nuanced balancing of structure and grace, depth and complexity.

Blend: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 6% Petite Sirah

Aquinas

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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.

YNG445925_2009 Item# 140334