WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
The Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2021, a blend of Bordeaux varieties, showcases grapes from various sub-AVAs, yielding a wine with old-world charm, complexity, and excellent aging potential. It features a rich, structured palate with flavors of cherry, truffle, anise, and tobacco, and an aromatic profile of plum, and cocoa.
TASTING NOTES:
This massive wine is as intense in black fruits and dark chocolate as it is in tannins and body. Built for mid- to long-term aging, it boasts heady aromas of dried blueberries, dried cherries, violets and oak char followed by equally rich and concentrated flavors. The tannins are dense but fine-grained, ready to preserve the wine as it develops more complexity with time. Cellar Selection
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Wine Enthusiast, 96 pts.
A juicy red with graphite, chocolate and blackcurrants on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, layered and flavorful. Juicy tannins and lovely flavors. Tastes more like merlot. Lots of flavor but fresh and tensioned.
- James Suckling, 94 pts.
Ripe and polished in style, with an alluring gush of cassis, plum preserves and melted licorice. There's a dusting of singed alder and cedar on the finish for contrast, with a subtle iron twinge as well. Approachable for its fruit, but there's no rush. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038.
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Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
A blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot, 12% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Proprietary Red Wine boasts knockout aromas of caramelized black cherries, a dusting of dried spices and a base layer of cassis. Full-bodied without being heavy or overdone, it's ripe and velvety in feel, with a lingering, ever-so-slightly astringent finish. Already approachable, it should be better in a year or two and drink well for another decade.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 pts.
