Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Le Boucher is laced with plum, mocha, licorice, espresso and dried herbs. Fleshy and racy, with terrific energy, Le Boucher has a ton to offer. It's another fresh, vibrant offering from David Arthur. Cinnamon, rose petal and a kick of French oak extend the finish. This is impeccable.
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James Suckling
This Bordeaux-style blend offers a beautiful blend of red and black fruit, a layered texture and great balance for drinking now or later. Brilliant raspberries, red cherries, rose petals, plump blueberries and black cherries on the palate, accented by subtle vanilla bean, cinnamon, toast and ginger. Drink now or hold.
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.