Winemaker Notes
This wine greets the nose with rich aromas of dark red cherry, black cherry and black currant, intertwined with baking spices and a touch of sweet oak. The palate bursts with vibrant, fresh fruit, elevated by lively acidity. Supple tannins and a smooth texture reveal layers of spice and subtle oak undertones. A generous, well-balanced wine with impressive depth, it is anchored by the structure of its Cabernet Sauvignon core.
Blend: 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Zinfandel, 8% Petite Sirah, 8% Petite Verdot, 5% Syrah, 5% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A good, full-bodied wine that’s polished in texture and nicely rich in black fruit flavors. Moderate tannins wrap around delicious blackberries, blueberries and dark chocolate. Well-concentrated and mouth-filling. Drink now or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Mulled red and black fruits, cedary herbs, and incense-like nuances all emerge from the 2022 Proprietary Red Wine, and it's medium to full-bodied, ripe, and nicely textured on the palate. It brings lots of fruit, stays balanced, and is an enjoyable.
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.