Winemaker Notes
The 2013 is a fine example: Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine gives out a floral and spicerich fragrance immediately. As it opens, the flavor profile is exceedingly generous, with layers of black fruit, gravel, and smoke spreading across the palate. With all its density and richness, the wine benefits from decanting, and continues to open with time in the glass.
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.