Winemaker Notes
This wine offers immediate, juicy fruit, backed up by the complexity and structure of mountain grown fruit. The 1998 vintage was drinkable from an early stage and is remarkably forward now for early enjoyment. Pair it with rich foods such as lamb shanks, ossobucco or grilled steak. In cellaring, look to a minimum of five years when tannins begin to soften.
Douglas Danielak, Winemaker
"Dark and intense, deeply concentrated and richly flavored. Shows off lots of complex, ripe blackberry, boysenberry and dark red fruits, with pretty floral aromas and dense minerally-peppery flavors. Finishes with ripe, well-integrated tannins and smoky game flavors."
-Wine Spectator
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.