Winemaker Notes
At first swirl, notes of black currant, blackberry and cranberry come forward, followed by deeper aromatics of clove and orange zest. Additional airing reveals nuances of cardamom and mocha. On the palate, elegant flavors of boysenberry and plum mingle with complex notes of cinnamon, toasty cedar and bay leaf. The refined tannins are well-integrated, providing a rich and luxurious mouthfeel with a long, lingering finish.
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Luscious in black fruits and oak spices, this posh-textured wine aged in 40% new French barrels boasts power with grace. Intensely rich and delicious black currants, blueberries and dark chocolate are framed in masses of fine-grained tannins to come off as soft and plush.
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James Suckling
Notes of cassis and blackberries with spicy herbs, red licorice, walnut and crushed rocks. Full body. Structured and compact with finely polished tannins and succulent vivid dark fruit. Creamy finish.
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.