Winemaker Notes
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The dense ruby/purple-hued 2010 Proprietary Red Profile (92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot) displays a glorious bouquet of sweet blueberry liqueur intermixed with cassis, acacia flowers and a touch of oak. Deep, licorice-infused cassis, white chocolate and espresso roast flavors emerge from this complex, full-bodied, opulent, fleshy 2010. Its length, sweet tannins and overall intensity of flavors suggest it can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years.
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Wine Spectator
A smooth, rich and seamless effort, with tannins building around a seductive mix of dark berry, currant, loamy earth and tobacco. Flexes tannic strength on the 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.