Winemaker Notes
Our flagship is a Napa Valley tribute to left-bank Bordeaux blends – full, rich, and completely even across the palate with a medley of black cherry and hints of violets. The mid-palate is big and round with soft cherry-vanilla flavors. Natural acidity from mountain fruit provides perfect balance and a long finish. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Enjoyable now, but will age gracefully for decades.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Potentially the “Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage,” Foley’s 2000 Claret (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) is an amazing effort for this irregular vintage. It possesses a saturated black/purple color, great elegance and richness as well as amazing precision and extraordinary purity. Aromas of smoke, licorice, incense, black currant liqueur, and spice box are followed by a full-bodied, satiny smooth wine with a 45+ second finish. This incredible 2000 is a tribute to Bob Foley’s talents.
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Wine Spectator
A sleek, rich, elegant style, with a complex array of anise, black cherry, flashy mocha-scented oak, currant and coffee, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. 400 cases made.
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.