Make no mistake; our Merlots are for Cabernet lovers. Dark ruby color introduces a ripe medley of blueberry/blackberry pie aromas. The mid-palate floods with ripe berry flavors that then introduce mocha, vanilla and espresso nuances that linger through the finish.

93pts Robert Parker /93pts Wine Spectator 2012 2013

This is a classic white Châteauneuf blend with
50% Grenache Blanc, 45% Roussanne and 5%
Marsanne. It is vinified in stainless steel, settled,
clarified and bottled young and crisp. The wine is
then bottle aged for 18 months before release.
There are no oak barrels and no malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is crisp and delicate
and focused entirely on the character of the fruit.

White peach, star jasmine and gardenia aromas
mingle with a trace of vanilla. Bright fresh flavors
evolve on the mid-palate and vibrantly burst in a
delicious framework of fresh natural acidity. This
is crafted in the style that we prefer, which avoids
the heavy hands of malo-lactic fermentation and
excessive oak, creating a delightful Chablis-style
wine rather than a ‘typical’ buttery Chardonnay

The original cuttings were imported to Calistoga in the Napa Valley from the Savoie region in the French Alps in about 1880. Its original name was Doux Noir, or “soft black,” later called Charbonneau (carbon water). Subsequently, Charbono was wiped out in Europe by the Phylloxera root louse infestation. Ripe aromas suggest dried cherries, cranberries, rose petals, and a sug­gestion of white pepper. A gentle mid-palate with flavors of black cherry candy is framed with soft tannin and bright acidity, which provides the long lingering finish.

Red berry fruit aromas and flavors evenly coat the palate and linger long in the finish. Gently gripping tannins carry a hint of espresso character. A delicious blend of bright fruit flavors. More than half of this blend are classic claret varieties (Cabernet, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot), which marry with Rhone-rooted varieties (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono). Delicious in its youth, this red blend will age elegantly for many years. This year’s blend is 28% Merlot, 19% Petite Sirah, 14% Charbono, 12% Malbec, 11% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Make no mistake; our Merlots are for Cabernet lovers. Dark ruby color introduces a ripe medley of blueberry/blackberry pie aromas. The mid-palate floods with ripe berry flavors that then introduce mocha, vanilla and espresso nuances that linger through the finish.

93pts Robert Parker /93pts Wine Spectator 2012 2013

Carneros region Beautiful garnet hue. The aroma suggests a medley of strawberry and raspberry with a slight hint of toasty oak. Medium body and lively on the palate, the crisp natural acidity lifts these aromas and provides a long elegant finish. Aged one year in 100% new Burgundian cooperage and another year in the bottle, the 2013 Pinot Noir is drinking very well with ample natural acidity to lie down and continue to develop for years to come.

The classic character of slowly but thoroughly ripened Cabernet family varieties show beautifully in a medley of black cherry and currant aromas. 17% Merlot provides a dollop of weight in the mid-palate while 80% Cabernet Sauvignon introduces a flood of fine mouth-coating tannin. The finish is lengthened by the 3% Petit Verdot to provide a long and soft finish of berry and espresso. This classic Cabernet-based blend will blow your mind in its youth and age gracefully for decades to come. (450 cases produced) 2013 96 pts Robert Parker

In 1977 Robert Foley began his winemaking career working at Pride Mountain Vineyards where he spent 15 years as founding winemaker. Although he now solely focuses on his own label and Switchback Ridge wines, Robert has built his career on producing the winery’s flagship Claret as well as focusing on other “big reds” that Napa is known for. The estate is known for expressive and concentrated wines that provide an elegant finish, and most of the fruit comes from high elevations. In total, Robert Foley Wines produces around 8,000 cases per year.
94 pt Wine Searcher

In 1977 Robert Foley began his winemaking career working at Pride Mountain Vineyards where he spent 15 years as founding winemaker. Although he now solely focuses on his own label and Switchback Ridge wines, Robert has built his career on producing the winery’s flagship Claret as well as focusing on other “big reds” that Napa is known for. The estate is known for expressive and concentrated wines that provide an elegant finish, and most of the fruit comes from high elevations. In total, Robert Foley Wines produces around 8,000 cases per year.
94 pt Wine Searcher

This 100% varietal is a blend of ridgetop Atlas
Peak and valley-floor Calistoga fruit. Fully ripe
cherry pie. Mid-palate gives the impression, sweet
fruit and ust a hint of mocha. Pleasantly mouthcoating, amply tannin in the finish linger on and
on. This vintage is delicious in its youth but will
continue to deliver with many years of proper
bottle aging. [RP 95 points]

The classic character of slowly but thoroughly ripened Cabernet family varieties show beautifully in a medley of black cherry and currant aromas. 17% Merlot provides a dollop of weight in the mid-palate while 80% Cabernet Sauvignon introduces a flood of fine mouth-coating tannin. The finish is lengthened by the 3% Petit Verdot to provide a long and soft finish of berry and espresso. This classic Cabernet-based blend will blow your mind in its youth and age gracefully for decades to come. (450 cases produced) 2013 96 pts Robert Parker

This 100% varietal is a blend of ridgetop Atlas Peak and valley-floor Calistoga fruit. Fully ripe cherry pie. Mid-palate gives the impression, sweet fruit and ust a hint of mocha. Pleasantly mouthcoating, amply tannin in the finish linger on and on. This vintage is delicious in its youth but will continue to deliver with many years of proper bottle aging. [RP 95 points]

The classic character of slowly but thoroughly ripened Cabernet family varieties show beautifully in a medley of black cherry and currant aromas. 17% Merlot provides a dollop of weight in the mid-palate while 80% Cabernet Sauvignon introduces a flood of fine mouth-coating tannin. The finish is lengthened by the 3% Petit Verdot to provide a long and soft finish of berry and espresso. This classic Cabernet-based blend will blow your mind in its youth and age gracefully for decades to come. (450 cases produced) 2013 96 pts Robert Parker