Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The same can be said for the 2009 Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge, a high elevation, cooler climate vineyard. Its dark ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of blueberries, blackberries and damp, mossy, forest floor scents. The wine possesses fabulous fruit, admirable ripeness and a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and plenty of power as well as fruit. Range 92-94.
-
Wine Spectator
Powerfully built and appealingly rustic, with wild berry and loamy white pepper aromas. The flavors are concentrated and ripe, but focused, showing smoky plum, anise and toasty sage. The tannins are big but balanced. Best from 2013 through 2017.
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.