Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby color. Ripe, jammy, berry fruit dominates the nose, with herbal, toffee and green tea notes. Smooth, heavy entry and medium-full palate weight. Bright blackberry and raspberry flavors. Moderate acid. Longtime fans of our Primitivo may notice that the 2020 vintage is initially more structured than the 2019, with fine grained tannins that will soften with time and/or air. The additional tannin opens up a world of pairing possibilities for this popular wine.
Full-flavored, fruit-driven at its heart, try it with a skirt steak with grilled onions, tacos al pastor, a cheese and charcuterie selection, Korean short ribs, or anything you like with Zinfandel.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Black cherries, apricot tart and violets with coconut and mocha. Full-bodied yet the bright acidity balances out the mid-palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Nice vibrancy.
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.