Winemaker Notes
In this 2017 vintage, the quality and character of this Cabernet Franc was exceptional, and they chose to bottle it on its own, blending in some of the estate Cabernet Sauvignon to add structure and weight. Maxville believes Chiles Valley Cabernet Franc is on the fast track to become a star; and they are staying ahead of the curve, planting an additional block with its own distinctive clone in 2015.
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.