Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Red

Vintage 2009Varietal 67% Malbec 18% Petit Verdot 11% Cabernet Sauvignon 4% MerlotAppellation Oak Knoll District of Napa ValleyEstate Vineyard 100% Main RanchHarvest September 23October 5Oak 21 months in 67% French 20% American 13% HungarianAlcohol 14.1%Bottled August 2011The Red Dragonon the label of our Dragon’s Tooth Napa Valley Red Wine originated in ancient British legend where two dragonsone red, one whitefight 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.Catherine Trefethen,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.Highlightingour 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 Vintage2009 was an excellent, even-keeled vintage in Napa Valley. Consistently mild weather throughout the growing and harvest seasons resulted in stress-free vines, long grape hang times, and fruit with finely developed flavors at lower-than-normal sugar levels.The WineThe third vintage of this lively wine is deep purple in color with aromas of black currant, blackberry and cinnamon. The palate is full with flavors of plum, cherry and chocolate. This voluminous wine finishes with balanced, structured tannins that emphasize the rich fresh fruit and hints of spice.Food AffinitiesThe addition of some blackberries or blueberries to smoky grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork or duck brings out the best in both food and the wine.Accolades93 POINTS vintage 2009Wine Enthusiast March 201394 POINTS vintage 2008Wine Enthusiast90 POINTS vintage 2007Robert Parker, Wine Advocate