Winemaker Notes
The Red Wine Cellar Selection from the esteemed Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley (previously vintage was Spring Mountain) displays an intense, bright red hue. It showcases vibrant blueberry and blackberry aromas intertwined with notes of graphite. This blend is impeccably balanced, with lovely acidity that enhances its floral and garrigue nuances.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot
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.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
The Rutherford sub-region of Napa Valley centers on the town of Rutherford and covers some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyard real estate, spanning from the Mayacamas in the west, to the Vaca Mountains on the other side of the valley.
Inside of the Rutherford AVA, bordering the Mayacamas, is a stretch of uplands called the Rutherford Bench. (These bench lands technically run the length of Oakville as well). Mountain runoff creates deep, well-drained, alluvial soils on the bench, giving vine roots plenty of reason to permeate deep into the ground. The result is wine with great structure and complexity.
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvingons and Bordeaux Blends garner substantial attention for their enticing fragrances of dusty earth and dried herbs, broad and juicy mid-palates and lush and fine-grained tannins. The sub-appellation claims some of the valley’s most prized vineyards today, namely Caymus, Rubicon and Beckstoffer Georges III.
It is also home to Napa’s most influential and historic personalities. Thomas Rutherford, responsible for the appellation's name, made serious investments here in grape growing and wine production between the years of 1850 to 1880. Gustave Niebaum purchased a large swath of land and completed his winery in 1887, calling it “Inglenook.” Today this remains the oldest bonded winery in California. Georges Latour founded Beaulieu Vineyard in 1900, making it the oldest continuous winery in the state. Latour also hired the famous enologist, André Tchelistcheff, a man credited for single-handedly defining the modern Napa winemaking style.