Winemaker Notes
The 2021 Kerr Cellars Helicon has a dynamite, dark nose of black cherry, blackberry, graphite, black peppercorn, oiled leather, lilac, sandalwood, and bakers’ chocolate. It is round and unctuous on the entry, with layered flavors of black fruits, black peppercorn, anise, bakers’ chocolate, dried sage, pot pourri, and leather. The palate is long and textured, with the intense, dark flavors lingering beyond the finish. This wine will cellar effortlessly and get better with age!
Blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Loads of dried sage, thyme, blackberries and blueberries with some bark. Medium-bodied with excellent length that goes on for minutes. A fantastic new wine from this producer. So integrated and refined. From the Sage Ridge Vineyard east of Pritchard Hill. This used to be the reserve red. Search it out. Drinkable now, but better in 2027.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Helicon checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and possibly a splash of Petit Verdot. It's an open, medium to full-bodied, opulent 2021 with ample red and black fruits, some dried herb, leather, and dried flower notes, fine tannins, and beautiful overall balance. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade or so.
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.