2013 Nine Suns Red, Napa Valley, USA 750ml

Much more tightly knit, structured, and built for the long haul is the 2013 Proprietary Red, which is a 600-case blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. The ceiling on this wine is probably higher than the 2012, but it needs another 2-4 years of bottle age. Opaque purple in color, with hints of white chocolate, black truffle, sweet crème de cassis and blackberry fruit as well as a touch of wood smoke, this wine has great richness, an extraordinary, singular personality, and a fabulous finish of close to 50+ seconds. Kudos to the Chang family and winemaker Sam Kaplan for turning out two profound wines from Pritchard Hill. Look for the 2013 to hit its prime in 5-6 years and last for three decades or more.