Winemaker Notes
This wine shows a deep crimson color in the glass. Brambly aromatics are layered with dark plum, cassis, ripe fig, and a touch of anise and cigar box. A powerful, fruit-driven entry on the palate—with notes of blackberry, molasses, bakers chocolate and leather—is supported by plush tannins that last over a lingering, juicy finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is so balanced and articulated with precise aromas of currants, blackberries and cherries, as well as a mint character. Full body, firm and fine tannins and a juicy, subtle finish. Drink in 2021.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The proprietary red wine blend has always been dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but it includes other Bordeaux varieties as well. It is kept 22-24 months in 100% new oak. The 2015 Proprietary Red Wine, a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and the rest Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, has super concentration, a massive mouthfeel, heady, intense flavors of black and blue fruits, chocolate, wood spice and barbecue notes. It is a killer effort and, as so many of the 2015s, another magnificent vintage for Northern California.
Range: 95-97
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Wine Enthusiast
This blends 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with 16% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The brawny nose opens in black currant and licorice, paving the way for the bold, rich flavors of lavender, blueberry and graham cracker to come.
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Wine Spectator
Well-crafted, capturing the core of dark berry, earth, graphite and cedar flavors, with firm, ripe tannins and good length. Needs time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2021 through 2032.
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Decanter
Like the 2005 vintage, the 2015 comes from the estate vineyard high on Atlas Peak as well as from Stagecoach Vineyard. The nose is still reticent, with a herbal tone and some lively cherry fruit. The attack is quite gentle, but the wine grows in heft on the mid-palate, revealing a structure that's powerful and muscular. Although it lacks finesse, it has vigour and reasonable persistence.
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.