Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Syrah Relentless, which has not yet been bottled, is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petite Sirah. In keeping with this amazing year, it’s full-bodied, juicy, succulent, flamboyant, with blueberry and blackberry fruit galore, lots of glycerin and a massive mouthfeel, but no heaviness or astringency characterize this stunning wine. This should turn out to be a great, great Rhône Ranger when released in a year or so. Range: 94-97
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James Suckling
This is very fresh and balanced with a dense and silky texture plus lots of violet, berry and hints of sandalwood. It’s full and very silky. Long and intense. Hints of smoky, spicy, wonderful fruit. Lots of tannin but shows an intensity and power. Needs time to soften, but beautiful. 89% syrah and 11% petite sirah.
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Wine Spectator
A deeply structured blend that combines power with richness. Aromas of blackberry and crushed rock open to layered, complex flavors of black cherry, espresso and smoky cracked pepper. Tannins are big but fleshy. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Best from 2017 through 2028.
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.