Winemaker Notes
Approachable, yet structured enough to stand up to big, bold foods like barbecue brisket, grilled rack of lamb or carne asada.
Blend : 46% Syrah, 39% Merlot, 13% Petite Sirah, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A tight and fresh red with blackberry, blueberry and spice. Some walnut, too. Full body, soft and easy tannins and a flavorful finish. Nicely done. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 46% Syrah, 39% Merlot, 13% Petite Sirah, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Red Blend features a medium to deep garnet-purple color and lovely kirsch, crushed black berries and red currants nose with touches of black pepper, baking spices and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives lovely fresh, juicy red and black fruits with peppery undertones and nice rounded tannins, finishing on a spicy note. 6,010 cases produced
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.