Winemaker Notes
Super saturated and packed with enticing aromas the 2020 Alec’s Blend has hints of wild black cherry, plum and fig fruits threaded with toffee, cinnamon and subtle savory notes. Ultra-plush on entry the palate is full of fresh, broad-ranging fruit punctuated with espresso, fine-grained tannins and a long juicy finish.
Blend: 75% Syrah, 22% Merlot, 3% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Ultrarich aromas of blueberry jam, chocolate cherries and espresso crema crowd the nose of this supersaturated, superripe wine before dark chocolate, spearmint and café au lait join the berries on the palate. Made from mostly Syrah, plus Merlot and Petite Sirah, the wine is viscous, concentrated and laced with lots of soft tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An unusual blend of 75% Syrah, 22% Merlot and 3% Petite Sirah, the 2020 Alec's Blend is perfumed and floral, with scents of violets, blueberries, stone fruit and licorice—I suspect this will almost be too aromatic for some tasters. It's full-bodied, reasonably supple and creamy on the palate but then finishes with a touch of rustic tannin. Personally, I'd drink it on the young side, for those exuberant aromas. Best After 2023.
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.