Winemaker Notes
Blend: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A super aromatic Bordeaux blend with incredible aromas reminiscent of orange peel and blue fruits that turn to hot stones, all wrapped up with wonderful flowery perfume. The palate has tons of fruit but in a delicate compacted form. Fine tannins and a good persistent finish. A blend, for Napa Valley, of 33% cabernet sauvignon, 32% cabernet franc, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot.
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.