Paul Maroon started his small winery in Napa Valley with the purchase of a beautiful estate vineyard near Howell Mountain, located in the new Coombsville AVA. We first heard about them through the excellent Crauford Cabernets but he was already known for the quality of his Cabernet fruit and was selling it to Joseph Phelps for inclusion in their flagship Insignia wine. Now the grapes from this outstanding vineyard go into his Reserve Cabs and it clearly shows the quality and pedigree.
This is the Special Reserve, only produced in the most outstanding vintages. The fruit for this Special Reserve Cabernet was hand selected from Maroon Vineyard in the Coombsville District of Napa Valley. Within the vineyard, there are unique combinations of soil type, climate and vine vigor, so cluster maturity and quality can vary. In order to make this wine from the “best of the best” fruit, grapes were selectively harvested for only the finest quality. These intensely flavored, select grapes were vinified carefully in temperature-controlled tanks and then aged in 100% new French Oak for 24 months to further enhanced the character and style of this limited edition wine. On the palate it's bold and muscular, showing dark fruit flavors of cherry, cassis, cocoa, and spice box. Beautifully balanced for long age-ability, the finish is long and lingering. Enjoy it now with a 30 minute aeration or lay it down for up to 10+ years.
Beverage Testing Institute (tastings.com) just awarded this wine 96 points saying "Brown brick red color. Aromas and flavors of spiced dried berries, honeycomb, leather bag filled with coffee, chocolate and spice, and wet clay with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, very long finish with notes of cassis pie a la mode, honey glazed carrots, cherry cola, and chocolate mint with silky, soft tannins. A stately, seamless cabernet with deep rich flavors, finely balanced oak, and a long satisfying finish. "
