Ink Grade Andosol 2017
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Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
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Andosol draws inspiration from the historic field blends of California. The inherent stress the rugged site lends to grape growing will saturate the grapes with intensity and depth. An elegant example of this historic varietal, the 2017 Andosol is a reflection of all that Ink Grade has to offer, a wine polished and bold.
Blend: 88% Zinfandel, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend that can change from vintage to vintage, the 2017 Andosol is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. While the nose is marked by scents of redcurrants and gentle herbal shadings, the palate is full-bodied but taut and juicy, with silky but firm tannins and ample length.
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James Suckling
Aromas of blueberries, plums, dried oregano, earth, tar and peppercorns. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lively acidity. Vibrant and juicy with a crunchy finish. Drink now or hold.
The estate on Howell Mountain is no ordinary vineyard. Planted to nurture rather than disrupt the ecosystem that has thrived there for centuries, the Ink Grade is at once lush and rugged, idyllic and unforgiving. This dynamic balance is expressed in every bottle. The single-vineyard wines of Ink Grade Estate debut nearly 150 years after their land was acquired by Napa Valley legend Theron Ink.
Rooted firmly in the Napa Valley, Ink Grade makes single-vineyard wines of remarkable intensity and grace. They are the product of rugged terrain perched atop the Vaca Range, on the east side of Howell Mountain.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.