More about the 2017 HEIR APPARENT NAPA VALLEY PROPRIETARY RED Napa Valley’s reputation for great Cabernet Sauvignon is rooted in an exceptional convergence of soil diversity, varied topography, and a climate well suited to long, even ripening. Those same conditions also make the valley an outstanding home for other Bordeaux varieties, particularly Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Heir Apparent’s Proprietary Red brings these elements together with intention, blending 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to create a wine that is both harmonious and finely balanced, emphasizing elegance as much as structure. The fruit for this proprietary blend is sourced from one of Napa Valley’s top growers in the cooler Carneros region. While a nondisclosure agreement prevents the release of the exact vineyard source, the character of the wine speaks clearly to its origin. From the first taste, the emphasis is on freshness, balance, and composure, qualities that make the wine immediately compelling and quietly distinctive. Carneros has long been prized by winemakers seeking Bordeaux varieties with refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and natural poise. Clay loam soils provide excellent water retention and steady vine growth, while the region’s cool temperatures are shaped by Pacific Ocean influence and breezes funneled through the Petaluma Gap. These conditions extend the growing season, allowing grapes to develop flavor and complexity without excess sugar, resulting in wines of clarity, restraint, and remarkable finesse. "This gem of a blend is proving the connection to Bordeaux and that Napa Valley can produce elegant, refined and so complex Bordeaux-style blend in the purest french style. With a dark color, it shows a complex and refined nose, with cedar and blackberry aromas accented with fine leather and cedar notes. On the palate, you will discover a full-bodied wine, smooth but tightly wound. Cedar, graphite and gentle leather return, all perfectly integrated, with a persistent and elegant finish. It has a lovely texture, with super-fined tannins and sublime integration of oak showing black pepper and firmness with cedar characters.”