2023 Tasting Notes
Vintage Notes
2023 delivered one of the most prolonged and compact harvests in recent Napa Valley history. The long growing season delayed the start of harvest until early September—two and a half weeks later than the previous year. This posed logistical challenges in the cellar as tanks quickly filled when fruit was finally ready to pick. Additionally, there was concern about completing the harvest before the rainy season. Our winemaking teams rose to the occasion and made the 2023 harvest season a bountiful yield of exceptional quality fruit. The grapes displayed intense color and complex flavors, maintaining a vibrant acidity that adds a distinctive character to what will surely be remembered as an excellent collector's vintage.
Tasting Notes
Upon first inspection, one is struck by the vibrant, dark purple hue. Coupled with dense aromatics of black cherry and cocoa powder, the plush tannins present a sense of sweetness on the entry. Continuing with an expressive youthfulness on the palate, a hint of orange peel emerges, tucked behind cola and blueberry notes. The fresh acidity provides tension and emboldens the wine, while the richness of the mid-palate presents an engaging juiciness. This wine will benefit from extended cellar aging, continuing to soften the acidity and tannin finish grip, while allowing tertiary aromatics of blonde tobacco and baking spices to come to the fore.
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