Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
I was blown away by the 2018 Bryn, only the second vintage I’ve been able to taste. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it’s a more plush, sexy wine, especially in the vintage, with full-bodied aromas and flavors of chocolaty dark fruits, tobacco leaf, earth, and spice. With a great mid-palate, building richness, and velvety tannins, it holds onto the pure, seamless style of the vintage. It’s well worth seeking out and is going to cruise in cold cellars for 15+ years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Red Blend Bryn is composed of 77% Merlot (from Sugarloaf Mountain vineyard in south Napa) and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon (from Tench vineyard in Oakville). Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes barreling out of the glass with stewed plums and spearmint notes, followed by hints of cigars, dusty soil and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of lively herb-laced rich black fruits, finishing on a lingering minty note.
Rating: 95+
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.