Bootleg, Red Wine, Napa County 2017

93 Points, Vinous

Conceived in a Rutherford cellar in 2012, Bootleg Red Blend was blended to best express its vintage in the Napa Valley outside the bounds of a given winemaking tradition—one year it might feature Merlot from Stagecoach Vineyard; the next, Cabernet from Atlas Peak. Opulent yet refined, Bootleg deftly balances hedonistic pleasure with structure, nuance and finesse. Beautiful garnet color leads into a nose of dark fruit, blueberry, chocolate, baking spices and earthy notes in the background. On the palate the wine exhibits rich round approachable tannins with great structure. Flavors of blueberry and blackberry compote, toasty oak and a long luscious finish.