Winemaker Notes
Antaeus, the son of Water and Earth in Greek mythology, is the symbol of strength derived from the soil. So too this wine, deriving strength from the matching of site and grape on every part of our land. The aromatics are primarily Napa Cabernet, with all the richness that connotes; the body has Zinfandel's sensual fruit and fullness, but the finish comes through with the structured, sinewy aspect of the Bordeaux varieties
Professional Ratings
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
56% Zinfandel; 27% Cabernet Sauvignon; 12% Nebbiolo; 5% Petit Verdot. This wine may contain anything but a classic blend within its cepage, but the effect, while ripe and a bit reliant on high concentration, is that of solid, deeply cast table wine. A hint of dried berries in the nose gets lost in the tight, complex flavors that follow in the mouth. Balancing acidity and tannin in support will allow this interesting effort to age into a smoother maturity with three to six years of cellaring.
-
Wine & Spirits
A blend of zinfandel, cabernet, merlot and petit verdot, this is packed with fresh scents of wild berries, both red and black. There's density to the wine, its depth sustained by tannins that feel substantial and sweet. The fruitiness of those tannins would meld with a slice of flank steak seared rare.
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.