Winemaker Notes
The palate opens with the unmistakable darker side of Merlot, eschewing the grape’s typical generosity for a more serious and potentially powerful wine. Before you have a chance to evaluate the Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet’s secondary roles on the palate, the wine’s youthful tannins stretch the wine’s core leaving behind a dusting of earthy spice and savory character. The pure, compact palate begs for cellaring and evaluation over time.
Blend: 54% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 13% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Living up to its barrel tasting notes, the 2012 Proprietary Red Firebelle (54% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 13% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon) was aged 18 months in 62% French oak. Sweet blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, chocolate and loamy soil notes are followed by a savory, expansive, opulent, dense yet approachable and exuberant wine. It is best consumed over the next 12-15 years.
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James Suckling
This is about half merlot with malbec and cabernet franc. A velvety yet fresh red with plum, currant and berry character. Full body, round tannins, and a crisp finish. Fantastic finish. Love the texture.
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.