Winemaker Notes
Blend: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
It is entirely conceivable that this blend of the two Cabernets could improve dramatically with time in the bottle. Currently, it's a very dry, firmly tannic wine, with black currant, mocha, cherry and new oak flavors that have a distinctive edge of sweet herbs, figs and tobacco. Improves considerably with airing in the glass, so decant if you drink it anytime soon. Cellar Selection.
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and elegantly styled, with spicy currant, sage, dusty berry, mineral and pleasant herb and sage notes. Well-balanced, even delicate and detailed. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Cabernet Franc, this has a very pure, lifted nose. There is a slight under-ripeness on the nose. A little dustiness. The palate is full-bodied, very good weight, the Cabernet Franc displays good ripeness. Very toasty, spicy towards the finish – just a touch of austerity on the finish. Give it another 2-3 years to mellow. Drink 2011-2016. Tasted March 2009.
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.