Winemaker Notes
The 2020 el Coco sits in the glass with a deep mauve and neon rim, opening with aromatics of fruits on the darker spectrum - black and blue berries muddled with cacao - and a hint of lit palo santo. A confluence of feeling on the palate, the entry is voluptuous, layered and specific, with dripping ripe black plum that retains its acidity along with fresh morel and bresola, continuing into an appealing finish of baking chocolate. Closed in its youth, an introduction of air with a decant would allow for the wine to open and show the nuance and complexity hidden within.
Blend: 71% Zinfandel, 29% Petite Sirah
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.