So much has been written about this wine but I think big, bold, and beautiful pretty much covers it.
Andy Erickson is the founder and winemaker for this impressive blend and is considered by many to be one of the finest winemakers in Napa. His resume is a list of who’s who including Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Staglin, Dalla Valle, Ovid, and Favia- an up-and-coming winery owned by his wife, in Coombsville. This is the most southern Napa AVA and the 16th to be formally recognized in 2011.
Andy and his team meticulously hand-pick vineyard sites across Napa with the aim of what will the site contribute to the blend and how will it improve the overall result. This vintage is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.
Lots of cherries, raspberries, and spices on the nose with just a hint of chocolate.
The palate is big, rich, and welcoming with seamless layers of Blackberry jam, Plum, and Dark Raspberries with secondary notes of Blueberries and Dark Chocolate. Impressive balance, silky smooth mouthfeel, and elegant with a long finish.
What you have is Andy Erickson’s fine-tuning and his magic touch at about a quarter of the price of the other wines he makes.
This will cellar out to 2030, upon saying that, I would drink it young, there is a youthful exuberance I would not want to see you miss out on.
Pairings should include red meat in your favorite dish or straight from the grill, especially with herbs. Pasta with meatballs, Lamb Skewers, Meat lovers Pizza, Roasted Chicken with herbs, Chicken Cacciatore with mushrooms and peppers added.
Vine to Table 