Mission Codename Upstream
“COHO are all big, overt and totally delicious.” – Robert Parker
Headwaters - many readers saw the name and already bounced right over to lock theirs in.
Year after year, COHO delivers truly astounding value. And that’s at their full retail prices.
But from us? At 36% off?? Riveting! Compelling! A blink-and-you-might-miss it type opportunity. No wonder it’s long been one of our best-selling reds, since the 2010 vintage!
Coho has a well-earned reputation for making Bordeaux style reds that punch way above their weight class. Proprietor Gary Lipp focuses on Napa Valley’s highly acclaimed Coombsville region, where cooler temperatures enable the fruit to develop concentrated flavors at ripe sugar levels with refreshing, balancing acidity. Of course, it helps that he has winemaker Phillip Titus along for the ride. A name you may recall from his longstanding work at Chappellet, consistently churning 95-100 pointers.
This is serious, brawny, “flex your biceps” stuff. LUSH and heady and definitely not a one trick MMA bruiser with a mean roundhouse kick. Plenty of finesse and multi-dimensional deliciousness as it goes all Krav Maga on your palate, bending your taste buds into submission. The blend changes each year, this one brings together roughly equal parts of Cabernet and Merlot with a quarter Petit Verdot and shows a softer, plusher, riper side. A potent mixture of pristine fruit and savory elements within. Earthy, fruity, raspberry, blackberry, plum, currant, tobacco, licorice, 70% dark chocolate, toasty French oak, and soft tannins.
We’d love to pour some in your mouth because you’d buy it if you could taste it. Of course, the hordes of Coho fans already know this. Doubt that we’ll ever see Headwaters this affordable again, so it would be a bummer if you missed out…
93 Points – James Suckling
“Rich aromas of dark plums, blackberries and blue plums here with dark chocolate and baking spices on offer. The palate has a juicy feel with fine, crisp tannins, wrapped in plenty of dark-berry and plum flavors. Drink or hold.”
What the Winery Says
2016 'Headwaters' Napa Valley Red
- Winemaker
- Philip Titus
- Vintage
- 2016
- Region
- Napa Valley
- Varietals
- 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 24% Petite Verdot
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Pre-fermentation
- 3-day 100% whole berry cold soak
- Fermentation
- 8 days with 8 days extended maceration
- Bottling date
- July 11, 2018
- Release date
- October 2020
- Aging
- 21 months
- Barrels
- 40% new French oak