Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Claret-like reserve is an indelible and constant trait of this particular maker, and it is more than evident here. While it is marked by fine concentration of substance throughout, the latest Antaeus is as carefully composed as it is rich, and it conveys an uncommon combination of polish and structured solidity. Its Cabernet component becomes obvious as it tightens and squares up at the finish, but there is so much fruity length that there is no questioning the wine's future beauty. Set it aside for at least another four or five years, and know that it will age beautifully for a decade or more.
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Wine & Spirits
Jerry Seps and his daughter, Colleen, blend this from the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot they grow at their hillside vineyard facing Mount St. Helena. It's more zinny than anything else - with scents of zinnias and wild blackberries. Its earthiness and floral freshness turns toward simple flavors of plumb blueberries, lasting with straight forward richness.
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.