Winemaker Notes
The level of intensity, color and flavor in the fruit from the Schlatter Family Estate Vineyard is truly exceptional. Aromas of licorice, blackberry, raspberry and plum are interwoven with dark chocolate and black olives and highlighted by balsamic notes. The rich, round entry is the perfect entrée to this wine of significant depth and length. The weight and concentration are balanced by flavors that are equally deep and elegant with leather notes and savory herbs (thyme) on the finish. The oak is well integrated featuring supple, very fine grain tannins. Decant this wine in its youth, it will reach a nice level of complexity 8-10 years from vintage, and with proper cellaring its depth and very fine tannins will continue to develop over the next 10+ years.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship release, the 2016 Profile is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot all from a single vineyard in the Conn Valley. Aged over two years in 75% new French oak, its deep, saturated purple color gives way to a savory, meaty wine that has loads of red and black currants, toasted spice, baking chocolate, and subtle iron and marine-like nuances. Beautifully textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it's another rock-solid 2017 that has plenty to love.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A barrel sample, the deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Profile opens with loads of ripe plums, cassis and blueberry notions over hints of earth, spice box and tobacco. Full-bodied, rich and rock-solid with muscular fruit, it has firm, grainy tannins and a very long finish.
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
James Suckling
Blueberry and blackberry aromas and flavors with chocolate, hazelnut and fresh-herb undertones. Very subtle. Medium to full body. Polished and solid tannins. Well crafted. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot. Better after 2021.
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Wine Enthusiast
This blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot offers dusty sage, cedar and dried herb elements around a thick, concentrated intensity of power and texture. Firm tannins and pronounced oak provide weight and structure that impresses and is seasoned in black pepper.
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.