Winemaker Notes
Lion Tamer Red Blend explores the relationship between some of the beloved and unusual varietals of Napa Valley. Malbec leads the blend, balancing rich layers of fruit with mouthwatering tannins. Flavors of cassis and boysenberry, subtle notes of milk chocolate, and a lingering finish.
Blend: 60% Malbec, 15% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A wonderfully layered, suave and creamy red that's so easy to sip and enjoy now. This is largely due to the 60% malbec grapes in this blend, that when blended with zinfandel give a smoothness in texture, a deep color and what winemaker Stephanie Pope calls a blueberry pie effect. Full-bodied, rich in fine-grained tannins and broad in a chocolaty, slightly jammy way.
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.