Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Dark, rich, intense and plush given its size and density of flavor, serving up a tight core of currant, plum, mineral, white pepper, sage and blackberry fruit. Amazing vibrancy and vitality to the fruit flavors. Tannins are substantial, too.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From a 4-acre, east-facing Mt. Veeder vineyard, this blend of 99.96% Syrah and .04% Viognier was aged 20 months in French oak, and bottled without filtration. Sadly, only 307 cases were produced. It is a classy, savory, complex, seamless Syrah revealing wonderful aromas of sweet blackberries and currants intermixed with licorice, acacia flowers, and hints of wood as well as earth. Textured and broad, with beautiful integration of acidity, tannin, and wood.
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.