Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Before Cabernet Sauvignon, there was Cabernet Franc. This elegant grape, long prized for its spicy aromatics and lithe energy, was in fact the genetic parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Christopher Carpenter captures the rich complexity of this distinguished variety with Caladan.
Caladan shows an elegant synthesis of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that reveals the utterly unique essence of four Napa Valley mountain appellations: Spring Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District, and Mount Veeder. The smaller proportion of Merlot bolsters the supporting structure and lends breadth to the wine’s fresh, silken aromatics.
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.