This is a pretty straightforward offering as the 33% Cabernet Franc, 27% Petite Sirah, 22% Petite Verdot, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon Field Blend. Normally, this wine frontlines around ~$100/bottle under the original label (which is quite reasonable, by the way, any of the blue chips would be charging $200/bottle for this), today I am offering the same bottling blend in Lot 41 2023 Napa Valley Red Blend for just $19/bottle! Again, this is no-expense-spared production deploying 80% new French oak and produced by a winemaker with serious blue chip pedigree. Did I mention the wine is absolutely fabulous? I guess that's where the rubber hits the road, yes? Check it out... I opened this barrel sample last Friday and was impressed right off the bat, but the wine has continued to blossom significantly as here we are on Tuesday and it continues to add layers of depth and dimension. The fantastic 2023 vintage has served up a fabulous red blend here with a powerful, palate-staining-yet-elegant and exquisitely balanced structure that delivers tremendous complexity. Deep purple, almost opaque, but not quite squid ink. Opens somewhat monolithic with gobs of black fruit, dark chocolate syrup and tons of toasty oak but, over the course of days the wine began to unwind and reveal its self complexing with creme de mure and black cherry notes underpinned with chocolate covered blueberries, fresh-turned black earth haloed with new leather and crushed tobacco leaf. The palate is ripe and robust with plentiful ripe blackberry, black cherry, cedar and vanilla wrapped around a potent core of tannins that unfurl with precision and elegance in a long, pure, sustained finish. First-class all the way. 100% estate grown Field Blend: 33% Cabernet Franc, 27% Petite Sirah, 22% Petite Verdot, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon80% new French oak15% alc.~110 cases available
