Winemaker Notes
The Wine: Initial impact is of a huge core of dark fruit aroma. On the palate, the wine is best described as unbelievably silky smooth, with a velvety texture. Flavors of cassis/plum/and berry bound from the glass. The finish is unusually complex, with lovely moderate tannins, and slight pomegranate tones. Fully powerful, this wine's beguiling aromas, soft textures and a complex lingering finish are exquisite.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This Bordeaux blend is dry, smooth and complex. There's a wonderful earthiness and herbalilty to it, with green olives complementing Cabernet's blackberry and black currant fruit, as well as the effects of oak aging. Shows real elegance and interest, at a very fair price. Drink now. Editors' Choice.
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.