Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Napa Cuvee is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc from the above mentioned vineyard sites with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Kenefick Ranch. This 3,000-case offering displays a dense opaque ruby/purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of blue and blackberries, crushed rocks, acacia flowers, and a hint of oak in the background. Medium to full-bodied with good ripeness, sweet, melted tannins, and a long finish, it should drink well for 12-15+ years.
Range: 91-93 -
Wine Spectator
Intense and focused on a rich core of black cherry, currant, plum and cedary oak flavors. Full-bodied and expansive, yet retains a tight focus and a measure of restraint. The flavors pour through on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 4,329 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.