2008 Dragon's Tooth Red Wine

on the label of our Dragon's Tooth Napa Valley Red Wine originated in ancient British legend where two dragons—one red, one white—fight in the sky. The boy Merlin watches them with King Vortigern and when the red prevails, driving the white across the sea, the boy foretells the coming of King Arthur who will lead Vortigern's people, the Welsh, to victory over the invading Saxons.

our First Lady, was Welsh. Her loves for wine, gardens and family were the inspiration for our estate in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District, and though she has departed, her spirit is still felt, especially in the cool foggy mornings when mist envelops the vineyard and our minds tend towards whimsical imaginings.

our new plantings of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this 100% Estate wine is born in the rockiest part of our vineyard where obsidian flakes occasionally remind us of the toothy smile of Y Ddraig Goch (The Red Dragon) guardian and symbol of Wales.

The growing season in 2008 began with more spring frost events than we have experienced in decades. You could find the crew two out of every three nights during the month of April in the vineyard “frost-protecting”. Rainfall wasn’t as generous as in past years either. However the summer growing season was splendid, followed by a beautiful fall that provided the perfect finish for the vintage.

An exuberant wine full of fruit, this second vintage of our unique blend exhibits a deep purple color. Boisterous aromas of plum, black cherry, and raspberry pie are followed by ripe red fruit on the palate with balanced tannins that build to a spicy, smokey, cinnamon finish.

Steak, steak and more steak, as well as hearty stews and barbecued meats.

94 Points vintage 2008
Wine Enthusiast

90 Points vintage 2007
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate