Winemaker Notes
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
From a great vintage for Napa Valley, the 2016 M Proprietary Red Wine is a sensational wine loaded with notions of crème de cassis, blackcurrants, violets, iron, Asian spice, and some obvious minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has fine tannins, a solid sense of elegance, good mid-palate depth and concentration, and outstanding length. Most 2016s have shut down slightly, yet they're still offering ample pleasure. If you have a few bottles, do your best to hold off for 2-3 years and this should evolve for 15-20. 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.