Winemaker Notes
The 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry weaves five classic varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec—into an elegant, beautifully balanced wine. The deep, expressive aromas and flavors are filled with black cherry, briary blackberry, cassis, dark cocoa, violet and cedar character. Cabernet Sauvignon's deep berry and cassis flavors are the firm backbone of the blend, while Merlot adds round, fleshy black cherry and cocoa notes. The Cabernet Franc perfumes with hints of violets and the Petit Verdot and Malbec enhance the ruby color and spiciness.
This wine makes a delicious foil for mesquite-grilled steak, filet mignon with shiitake mushrooms and roast lamb.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, the ’05 Tapestry is a soft, rich wine. It's full-bodied and satiny in red and black cherry, currant, anise and cocoa flavors. Immediately appealing, it should develop well over the next 6–8 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.
