Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A sheer joy to drink (and chew on), this dark, rich, spicy style packs in gobs of leathery blackberry, pepper, exotic spice and licorice and finishes with pretty cedary oak. Lots of tannins, too, but it turns supple, with a burst of plum and spice.
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Wine Enthusiast
This dark, dramatic young wine was a tasters' favorite. Well-extracted, with huge flavors of black cherry, blueberry, coffee, tar, spice and herbs, its robust tannins suggest ageability. But it's so ripe and sweet in fruit, it's exciting to drink now.
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.