Robert Foley Vineyards 2017 Claret, Napa Valley

Their flagship wine is a Napa Valley tribute to left-bank Bordeaux blends – full, rich, and completely even across the palate with a medley of black cherry and hints of violets. The mid-palate is big and round with soft cherry-vanilla flavors. Natural acidity from mountain fruit provides perfect balance and a long finish.

This Left-Bank Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is comprised of 80% Cabernet blended with Merlot and a trace of Petit Verdot. Another very dark, opaque appearance belies the degree of ripeness achieved in the early 2017 vintage. Balanced like a fine Cabernet, red and Bing cherry aromas characterize the purity of the fruit. A flood of fruit coats the midpalate, framed in popping and beautiful tannins that linger gently in the finish, which extends with natural integrated acidity.

Vintage Notes: Harvest of 2017 was unusually early for us, so the wildfires that ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties that year, happened while our wines were already in tank or barrel. We were thankfully spared from the flames and any smoke damage to our fruit.

Vintage Notes: Howell Mountain, at 2000ft, on the east side of Napa Valley, has extreme exposure, larger temperature swings, and volcanic soil, creating big firm shoulders, and masculine tannins. Calistoga vineyards are hotter and earlier to ripen, which provide the mid-palate lushness of glycerin and a higher alcohol.