The 2013 Maroon Napa Valley Reserve Zinfandel is deep garnet in color, with a ruby core. The nose shows blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tree bark, dried violets, sweet spice, graphite and black pepper. Nice hints of vanilla and cedar come from the 25% New Hungarian oak barrels it aged in for 20 months. Blackberry jam, plum jam, smoky blueberry, roasted fig, dried dark flowers, cigar box, spice and black pepper come through with spicy tones from the well integrated oak. The palate is medium to full bodied with a long vibrant finish.
Napa Valley
The Napa Valley AVA is located in Napa County, California, United States. Napa Valley is considered one of the foremost wine regions in the world. Wine grapes thrive here, due to the combination of geography, the Mediterranean climate and geology of the region, which are perfect for wine grape growing. The region was established as a wine-growing region with its first commercial vineyards planted in the 1850's.
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Vintage: 2013
Aging: 25% New Hungarian oak barrels for 20 months
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 986 cases
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
