Hill Family Estate "The Barrel" Red Blend 2017, Napa Valley California

2017 vintage – 44% Merlot, 17% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah, 7% Petit Sirah, 5% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Pinot Noir, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Dolcetto, aged 10 months in 20% new oak, (8% French, 4% American, 8% Hungarian). The 2017 Barrel Blend offers aromas of dark fruit and spice. The palate shows blackberry, cassis, black cherry, cedar and a touch of tamari. It has chewy tannins and plenty of structure and spice on the finish. The Hill Family Estate Barrel Blend is put together with the help of Kyle Knox, a great surfer and a wine professional, who loved the idea of ‘being in the barrel’ as both a wine term, and a surfing term. Located on the northern edge of Yountville, Hill Family Estate produced their first wines in 2001. Having a repertoire of 12 different vineyards to draw from, they are able to select only the highest quality fruit for their wines. Today the Hill Family owns 120 acres of vineyards with a focus on Atlas Peak, Carneros and Oak Knoll. They are 100% family-farmed, family-owned and family-operated – growing fruit for Napa wineries as well as their own wines.