The 2007 vintage was arguably the finest vintage of the past 100 years. In Northern California, the vintage started off with a mild winter and a warm, dry spring that led to a healthy bud break and then a smaller-than average fruit set. The normally hot summer months were relatively mild with just a few heat spikes early in the season. The long, even weather continued through the end of August and eventually cooled in mid-September, allowing farmers to take their time with the harvest. This long harvest provided winemakers with the luxury of picking the grapes when the seeds were brown and nutty but the fruit was still fresh (green seeds can impart an herbaceous or vegetal quality to the wine.) It also let producers vinify the wines in smaller lots, giving them more control in the blending process. This wine will peak in 10 years.
Their Flagship wine starts with explosive red fruit, black cherry, cola berry, and chocolate on the nose. Wine maker, Kevin Mills, builds the blend piece by piece for a wine with layers and layers of complex aromas and flavors. It shows black currant, licorice, plums, cocoa and earthy cedar and mineral nuances in a supple texture that shows beautifully approachable. For a Napa Valley estate wine of this quality it’s an incredible value. The mouth is full, supple, and rich and its lengthy finish will leave you lingering for more. This wine is Very Limited.
Varietals:
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet France, 14% Merlot, 9% Malbec.
Aging: 18 months in 100% new French oak.
Alcohol: 13.9%
Total Acidity: 7.49g
pH: 3.75
Cases: 536
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96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes out right of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
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