Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Secret Blend is another outstanding wine. Made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, from sites in Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena, it has a deep purple color as well as ample darker currant and cassis fruit intermixed with plenty of lead pencil and subtle floral notes. Nicely concentrated, full-bodied, and textured, it should easily evolve for 10-15 years. Winemaker Stephanie Putnam continues to fashion terrific, character-filled wines well worth seeking out.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Secret Blend is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The nose is a little closed to begin, offering glimpses at broody charcoal, fertile loam and truffle-inspired scents over a core of cassis, black plums and boysenberries with hints of lilacs, Indian spices and Provence herbs. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and spicy. 393 cases were made.
Rating: 93+
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.