Winemaker Notes
At first swirl, notes of black currant, cherry and black pepper come forward, followed by deeper aromatics of blackberry and leather. Additional airing reveals nuances of violets, dried sage and thyme. On the palate, elegant flavors of black currant, cassis and dark chocolate mingle with complex notes of espresso, white pepper and sage. The refined tannins are well integrated, providing a rich and luxurious mouthfeel with a long, lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Smoky, toasted oak underlies rounded layers of blueberry, black cherry and plum, leaving the palate rich and pleasing.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.