Winemaker Notes
Blend: 48% Syrah, 21% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 48% Syrah, 21% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Sirah, the 2022 The Big Blend offers darker berries, pepper, meat, violets, and hints of iron and sage. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's nicely textured and balanced, with ripe tannins. Aged 19 months in French and American oak, drink it over the next 5-7 years.
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Wine Spectator
Supple and ripe in texture but gutsy in structure, with handsome flavors of blackberry, mocha espresso and licorice that gather richness toward refined tannins. Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2032. 3,802 cases made.
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James Suckling
The nose is lifted and perfumed with an underlying power, offering aromas of wild blackberry compote, tobacco leaves and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and acidity, showing a velvety texture and notes of blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans and graphite. A powerful yet classy wine. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.
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.