Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Hendry’s 2013 Proprietary Red Blend is an intriguing, singular blend of 32% Petit Verdot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec and 4% Merlot. A sexy assemblage of grapes for this wine, which tips the scales that 14.9% alcohol. Loads of red currant, red cherry, licorice, spice box, earth, and a touch of herbs are all present in this complex, somewhat Mediterranean style of red wine. It is medium to full-bodied, silky smooth and an ideal accompaniment to bistro and trattoria food. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.
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.