Winemaker Notes
The 2012 vintage shows aromas of boysenberry, cassis, plum with a hint of vanilla and nutmeg. Seamless silky tannins with a long finish; flavors of boysenberry with cocoa accents.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This substantially structured red blend consists of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Blackberry and black currant sway between savory and juicy personalities, with a persistent echo of milk chocolate that rises on the finish. Along the way, expect black licorice and pepper. This wine can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2020.
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.