Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Obsidian (625 cases) is a similar but slightly different blend than its predecessor (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest small portions of Malbec and Merlot). It has an opaque purple color and a stunning nose of acacia flowers, blackberries, licorice, forest floor, mocha/chocolate, and gobs of cassis fruit. Great intensity, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, stunning purity, and a length of 45+ seconds make for an exquisite, full-throttle, yet beautifully intense Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that should dink well for 20-30 years.
Rating: 98+ -
James Suckling
Wow. This is very impressive with blackcurrant and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Full body, chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Rich yet full of tension. Better in 2019.
-
Wine Spectator
Very dense, tannic and concentrated, this makes a statement, with loose gravel, dusty dried currant and licorice notes, ending with a chewy aftertaste and a scent of mocha. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2028. 625 cases made.
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.