Robert Sinskey Vineyards

A Saint Emilion with a Suntan

47% Merlot - 31% Cabernet Sauvignon - 22% Cabernet Franc

A classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc... Also known as: Claret, Proprietary Red, Bordeaux Blend and, if you must, Meritage. We describe it as a St. Emilion with a suntan.

RSV has planted every vine that produces grapes for this wine. We looked at our Napa/Carneros Vineyards as if they were regions of Bordeaux and selected early ripening clones of Merlot and Cabernet Franc much in the same way a grower from St. Emilion or Pomerol would select clones for their growing region. What this means is that the grapes benefi t from a long, cool growing season, achieving optimal ripeness, while maintaining the acidity that is so important for mouth feel and structure.

Aromatic Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine and Sweet Spice

Restraint is the mantra at RSV. Every technique, such as small lot fermentation, delicate cap irrigation orpunch down, matching yeast to clone, even the selection of which French coopers’ barrels are used foreach individual vineyard block, has been selected to emphasize the inherent characteristics of the grape.

RSV strongly believes that oak should play a supporting role and not dominate the fruit.
We select barrels from four different French coopers who properly age and toast their wood for subtleand complex flavors. We then mix new and old barrels within each lot in order to find that perfect balance between new wood vanillin fl avor and old wood suppleness. The wines are barrel aged for almost two years before bottling.