Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An innovative blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2013 Proprietary Red Maquette comes from the Kenefick Ranch up near Calistoga. This is a beauty. Dense purple, with a blockbuster nose of blackberries, blueberries, licorice and incense, the wine has a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, opulence and flesh, followed by stunning purity, richness and overall equilibrium. This should drink well for at least 10-15+ years. Sadly, the production is a small 150 cases.
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.