Winemaker Notes
Pinot is such a friendly drink and our 2017 certainly falls into that category. Rich and seductive aromas of plum compote and ripe strawberry blend beautifully with a pleasant toasty oak background. All of these components are going to meld beautifully with just a bit more age. We love the flavors; warm and smooth – not a rough edge exists! This is just "so Pinot" and why it is so often the "go to" wine.
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.