Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Made by Elias Fernandez in partnership with Doug Shafer, this red totally rocks in smoky toasted oak and a tease of char. Intense and electrifying, it offers rich layers of dark cherry, clove and dried herb. It’s bulky and substantial while preserving a sense of grace, with a backbone of supportive refreshing acidity.
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James Suckling
So much violet and other flowers with purple fruits. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and bright acidity. Salty and tangy finish. Lively. Some tar and raspberry.
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.