Description

When it comes to the red wines of Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon often steals the spotlight. But, a real show-stopping red requires a stellar supporting cast. Fortunately, Napa also has talent in the name of Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel, which provide a cool sensibility and counterweight to the dramatic Cabernet.

When grown in the slightly cooler southern reaches of Napa Valley, Merlot makes wines with expressive red fruit and a balanced texture. Zin and Petite Sirah make wines with powerful, mouth-filling dark fruit and chocolate. And then there is Cabernet Sauvignon, the darling of Napa Valley. The Cabernet in this wine grows high up on Howell Mountain. Mountain Cabernet tends to have more texture and nuanced aromas of red and black currant and even a touch of eucalyptus.