Winemaker Notes
Blend: 68% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Harvested between September 7 and October 5, the 2021 Right Bank Blend comes from a handful of sites (Stagecoach, Dr. Crane, and Little Creek) and is based on 68% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It was completely destemmed and brought up in just 65% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a complex, layered bouquet of red and black fruits, black tea, flowers, and underbrush, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless mouthfeel, and just about perfect balance in its fruit, alcohol, and tannins. It's another absolutely sensational wine from Willians that offers pleasure today yet has the class and depth to evolve for 15-20 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.