Our red blend is from 100% Napa County fruit sources: 75% Rutherford Merlot, 20% Spring Mtn Cab, and 5% Calistoga Petit Sirah. This is a balanced and complex wine that does all the same things an expensive “Napa Cab” can do, but at a much more accessible price point. The Merlot is fruit forward and smooth, while the Cabernet gives the wine enhanced movement and an extended finish. The Petit Sirah contributes extra structure and power, what I call the “stuffing.” Just a few barrels, all French oak, under 200 cases, handcrafted and gravity bottled. In 2010 I was lucky to find such good Merlot, from Rutherford, grown on the Carpy Connely Ranch by Tom Gamble. This is the main component of our red blend, giving nice red and black flavors and a soft but ripe fruit core to the wine. I lucked out again when I found one ton of amazing Petit Sirah on a ranch south of Calistoga. A full day of picking yielded 1 ton of fruit, which I took from super old vines growing in the gravely soil along the tributary creek that defines the northern property line. Using Spring Mtn District Cabernet gives the Merlot a real boost in terms of movement, complexity, and extended finish. The result is a more complete wine, a Napa-style blend that is balanced and fun to drink!