Winemaker Notes
2018 Ritual will delight fans of this wine, which Relic has been making since 2007 as an homage to the pioneering, immigrant families who introduced these grapes to Napa Valley. The fruit-forward character of the year has brought tons of high-toned fruit and spice aromatics of strawberry jam, raspberry coulis, five-spice, a dusting of white pepper, underbrush and sage to the glass. On the palate, the classic up valley richness and depth is there, with a lot power in reserve, but on a gorgeously juicy frame. Flavors of blackberry, oolong tea and damson plum abound and play off one another on the long, silky finish. Aged in mostly neutral French oak barrels for 19 months before bottling unfiltered.
Blend: 33% Grenache, 33% Carignane, 25% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 300-case 2018 Ritual Red Blend checks in a one-third Grenache, one-third Carignan, and the balance Syrah and Petite Sirah, all fermented and aged in neutral barrels. Lots of blue fruits, charred meat, violet, graphite, and peppery notes emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant red blend that has impressive tannins as well as balance. It’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 7-8 years as well.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 33% Grenache, 33% Carignane, 25% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah, the 2018 Ritual Heritage Blend is deep garnet-purple in color, giving up floral notes of dried roses and lilacs over a core of ripe blackberries, plum preserves, fruitcake and smoked meats plus a waft of tilled soil. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it has a firm, grainy texture supporting the generous black fruit flavors and a long, uplifting finish.
Rating: 93+ -
Wine Spectator
Combines suppleness with a core of simmering power, offering elegant tiers of raspberry, grilled garrigue and spiced smoke beef that build toward medium-grained tannins. Grenache, Carignane, Syrah and Petite Sirah.
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.