Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Proprietary Red blend, is a testament to Napa Valley's rich terroir. Dark and concentrated, it opens with vibrant notes of blueberry, blackberry, and ripe red fruit layered with hints of spice and subtle vanilla. Full-bodied and expansive, with soft tannins that quickly build into a firm, structured finish. Cabernet Sauvignon provides backbone and power, while supporting varietals add richness and dimension.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Rich black fruit empowers sleek, muscular tannins, sinewy and seductive. Blueberries become creamier on mid-palate, with woodsy notes of spiced clove and cigar leaf. Elegant and refined.
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Decanter
Part of the Grand Napa Vineyards family, Heir Apparent is built around Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends, drawing on estate holdings and grower relationships across the valley. The 2023 Proprietary Red comprises 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. Following a 21-day fermentation, it spent 18 months in French oak: 60% new barrels and 40% second-use, two-year-old barrels. Jonathan Cristaldi: A rather coiled-up, compact and mineral-rich red that shows good tension and fine-boned acidity, keeping it lively and bright. Polished tannins lend an air of nobility. Balanced, textural and elegant. Jenica Flippo: Intense, ripe red and black fruits, joined by an earthy minerality on the palate. Tannins are polished and follow the long finish of the wine. Cara Patricia: Big black fruit, powerful with a touch of bitterness in its rough-and-tumble tannins.
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James Suckling
Aromas of red currants, dark cherries, mulberries, cassis and dried herbs. The midweight palate shows fine-tuned tannins and bright acidity with a refined, supple finish. Nicely balanced and fresh.
Made with love in Napa Valley, the family behind Heir Apparent prides itself on cultivating a sustainable and responsible approach to viticulture. Like a vibrant family, fine wine is a living tale, nurtured with unwavering devotion. It's a journey of care, never hurried; a challenge that earns the sweetest rewards. From rugged soil, the vines burst forth with vigor, a tribute to the very essence of life.
One of the hallmarks of Heir Apparent is its commitment to showcasing the unique characteristics of various Napa Valley appellations. Napa Valley is known for its diverse microclimates and terroirs, which offer the team an incredible palate of flavors and aromas to work with. Heir Apparent seizes this opportunity by producing special releases of wines from different appellations, each with its distinct identity.
They firmly believe that the true heirs to the rich winemaking tradition are the extraordinary customers who have the privilege of experiencing the meticulously crafted wines. The winery's unwavering commitment to uncompromising quality and innate ability to capture the quintessence of Napa Valley in every bottle make Heir Apparent wines a cherished choice among discerning wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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.