2016 David Arthur Proprietary Red Wine (Napa Valley):
Producer Background
David Arthur Vineyards was founded in the early 1980s by David Long, located on Pritchard Hill above Oakville in Napa Valley. The estate became known for its mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends, emphasizing richness and structure shaped by the rocky, volcanic soils of the hillside vineyards. The Proprietary Red Wine represents a more approachable blend compared to their flagship Elevation 1147, but it still reflects the estate’s signature intensity.
Grape Variety and Vinification
The Proprietary Red Wine is a Bordeaux-style blend, often dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting portions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and sometimes Malbec. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified in small lots, with fermentation in stainless steel and aging in French oak barrels (often 50–70% new) for around 20–24 months.
Region
Napa Valley is one of the world’s leading regions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines. Pritchard Hill, though not its own AVA, has gained a reputation for producing some of Napa’s most concentrated, ageworthy wines due to its high elevation, rocky volcanic soils, and moderated climate.
Terroir
The estate vineyards sit at elevations between 1,100 and 1,400 feet, above the fog line, on steep slopes with red volcanic soils and fractured rock. These conditions produce small berries with thick skins, resulting in wines of deep color, concentration, and firm tannic structure. Warm days and cool nights contribute to balanced ripening, while the altitude adds freshness and aromatic lift.
Characteristics
Color
Deep ruby to garnet, opaque core, with only slight bricking at the rim after nearly a decade in bottle.
Nose
Expressive and layered. Aromas of blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry interlace with cedar, graphite, mocha, and dried herbs. Secondary development brings leather, tobacco leaf, and hints of violet.
Palate
Full-bodied, dense, and structured. Dark fruit flavors dominate, joined by cocoa, savory spice, and mineral undertones. Tannins are still firm but polished, integrating well with the fruit. Acidity remains present, giving shape and balance to the richness.
Finish
Long and persistent, with lingering flavors of blackcurrant, espresso, and graphite, underscored by savory oak spice.
Terroir–Characteristic Connection
The volcanic and rocky soils of Pritchard Hill are evident in the wine’s mineral and graphite tones. The elevation preserves acidity and aromatic complexity, while the intense sun exposure at this altitude ensures full ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon. These site features directly contribute to the wine’s combination of concentration, structure, and freshness.
Decanting Advice
This wine benefits from a 1–2 hour decant to soften tannins and allow the secondary aromatics to unfold.
Drinking Window
Now entering its prime drinking window at 9 years of age. It has enough structure to continue evolving for another 8–10 years, though current balance makes it highly enjoyable now. Ideal window: 2024–2032.
Vintage Comparison
2016 in Napa Valley was an exceptional vintage, noted for balanced ripening, moderate yields, and wines of both power and elegance. Compared to the hotter 2017 vintage, 2016 shows more harmony and precision, with excellent ageability.
Pairing Suggestions
Pairs well with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or lamb with rosemary. Mature cheeses such as aged Gouda or Comté also complement its richness.
Rating
Excellent to Outstanding. The 2016 David Arthur Proprietary Red Wine shows the hallmark density of Pritchard Hill fruit, layered with complexity from age. It demonstrates both the site’s power and the vintage’s elegance, offering immediate appeal with the capacity for further development.