Winemaker Notes
This 3.5 acre vineyard located in St. Helena produces an amazing Bordeaux blend every year. 2010 was a cool year with heat spikes after veraison which contribute to its complexity. The aromas of fresh cut flowers along with cloves, tobacco and dry earth jump from the glass. The flavors are beautifully layered in this silky, unctuous wine that is extremely polished and refined. If ever there was a crowd pleasing vintage, this is it.
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.