Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the more exotic wines in this vintage, the 2011 Zinfandel Heminway is full of grilled herbs, licorice, dark cherries and plums. The Heminway stands out for its rich, layered personality. It is easily one of the most complex and intriguing wines in this lineup of 2011s. The dark, brooding finish is especially attractive. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021
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Wine Spectator
Powerfully built, with a firm structure wrapped inside a jammy, supple texture. Aromas of smoky wild blackberry lead to rich, dense flavors of dried cherry, loamy mineral and underbrush. Will benefit from age. Best from 2015 through 2022.
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.