Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Royal Punishers has a healthy deep, dark blue/black color profile. Aromas of plum, quince, violets, figs, molasses, graphite and marbled rye awaken the nose. The entry is viscous and weighty, then builds into a broad mid palate structure which has layers of ripe, black fruit flavors. The oak profile is balanced and the tannins are mouthwatering and medium grained which hol the fruit profile and carry a long, lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
This is a vinous, red-fruited petite sirah from deep soils on the east side of the Napa River in Rutherford. It feels big but not hot: There’s a cool blue-fruit sweetness surrounded by the soft leather upholstery of the tannins, a pillowy texture that holds marionberry flavors and chocolate richness. Those tannins are substantial without feeling aggressive, the wine lasting on vibrant fruit.
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Wine Spectator
Brooding and distinctive, with dark blackberry, licorice and Chinese five-spice powder flavors that build speed toward big but polished tannins. Best from 2020 through 2025.
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Wine Enthusiast
Brown sugar, red berry, lavender and a touch of heat mark this velvety thick and smoothly tannic wine, a hearty showcase of the variety. Complex and interwoven in oak, it finishes in bits of black and white pepper.
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.