Winemaker Notes
"It's a bit like using a spice rack in cooking," says Girard winemaker Marco DiGiulio. "Each varietal brings a different character to the blend, creating a wine of superior quality. Cabernet Sauvignon brings an intense edge. Merlot adds roundness and finesse. Cabernet Franc offers an enticing herbal note. Malbec serves up pretty cherry-like flavors, and Petit Verdot gives great structure and color."
The 2003 has a bright garnet color with aromas of kirsch, red currant, red plum, lavender and allspice. There are also hints of tobacco, grilled walnuts, and campfire smoke. One the palate, this silky textured wine offers a full-mouth, medium boied feel. The chewy tannins are well integrated, making the wine elegant and approachable at an early age. By decanting and time in the glass, the multiple layers of this complex blend will continue to reveal themselves.
Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 9% Cabernet France, 9% Malbec, 5% Petite Verdot
Professional Ratings
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.