Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet in color, the 2009 Bettina has a seriously savory nose of tapenade, Black Forest cake, sandalwood, dried Provence herbs and smoked meats with a background of prunes, baked blackcurrants and kirsch plus wafts of forest floor, truffles and garrigue. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black fruit preserves, the palate has lovely freshness and vibrancy lifting all that richness. It finishes with loads of spicy layers coming through.
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Wine Spectator
Shares the plush texture and savory herb, spice and lavender notes of the Cabernet, presented in a tight mix of dried currant, mineral, crushed rock and tobacco flavors. Half Cabernet, half other Bordeaux varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
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.