Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This is a blend of 40% Malbec, 27% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller amounts of Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Together, they work to offerinviting elements of baking spice, cherry vanilla and a creamy palate of integrated tannins and toasted oak. The fleshy, lush feel benefits from a fresh backbone of acidity.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Proprietary Red The Lion Tamer is blended of 40% Malbec, 27% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Mourvèdre, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and opens with notes of crushed black plums, blackberry compote and wild blueberries with hints of spice box, tobacco and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits plus plenty of spicy sparks, featuring a plush texture and great freshness supporting the long finish.
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.