Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2021

VINTAGE NOTES
Late winter rains followed by ideal spring growing conditions set the stage for the 2021
vintage. Mild temperatures punctuated this drought year with only a few heat spikes during
the summer months that led to early ripening and allowed us to harvest some early blocks
with incredible old-world charm and intriguing complexity. Grapes that were harvested
later benefited from the longer hang time and ripened perfectly, displaying great depth
with distinct regional character. The ideal weather of 2021, coupled with lower yields,
produced wines that offer intense aromatics and flavors with excellent aging potential.
 

VINEYARD SOURCES
Proprietary Red displays the blending prowess of our winemaking team. Utilizing
all five of the classic Bordeaux varieties from an array of our top vineyards, this
handcrafted wine illustrates why the combination of complex terroirs, and these
varieties create such a vivid illustration of the Napa Valley. The 2021 Proprietary Red
features grapes farmed in eight different sub-AVAs of the Napa Valley, predominantly
mountain grown grapes from Spring Mountain, hillside grown grapes from Rutherford
and valley floor grown grapes from Oak Knoll District.

WINEMAKING
To highlight the individual nuances of Napa Valley’s signature grapes, our winemakers
blended 30% Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot, 12% Malbec
and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine was fermented in 50% French oak, 40% new and 60%
two and three-year-old barriques and 50% in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 21
months in French oak in the same barrel composition.

On the nose: Forward ripe aromas of black cherry, plum, Mission fig and brandied red currants
accent notes of purple flowers, French toast, rosemary and cocoa.

On the palate: Broad, rich and structured on the palate, with bright red and black cherry fruits
that mix with flavors of thyme, summer truffle, anise and pipe tobacco.