Winemaker Notes
-Connoisseurs' Guide
"Ruby-red. Spicy aromas of red berries, cherry, cracked pepper, mace and violet. Fresh and clean, with energetic red fruit flavors braced by zesty minerality. Picks up dusty tannins with air and finishes with very good grip and energy."
-International Wine Cellar 91-93
"Dense garnet hue. Powerful aromas of blackberry, raspberry and cedar box. Tart, creamy cranberry fruit with spicy pepper and supporting tannins. Drying on the close with spicy cedar and eucalyptus accents." 90 Points
The Wine News
Professional Ratings
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.