Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Lady of the Dead has a backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley supplemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Graciano from premier vineyard sites in Paso Robles. The bouquet of this blend raises eyebrows. The complexity on the nose immediately showcases the quality and craftsmanship of the wine. It offers notes of violets & purple flowers, blue and black fruit, and a subtle hint of sweet oak, while deep underneath, there is a nuance of freshly tilled earth. Dark fruit flavors and cassis on the palate are highlighted by top notes of Bing cherry and a touch of savory smoked meat. Great acidity and polished tannin make this wine a real treat to drink.
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, & Graciano
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Lady of the Dead is an interesting blend of 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and the balance Tempranillo and Graciano. It’s a ripe, medium to full-bodied, juicy red with outstanding notes of spiced dark berry fruits, peppery herbs, and lead pencil. It will deliver loads of pleasure over the coming 4-5 years, probably longer. Best after 2022.
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.