Trefethen Dragon's Tooth Red

Vintage

2009

Varietal

67% Malbec
18% Petit Verdot
11% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Merlot

Appellation

Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley

Estate Vineyard

100% Main Ranch

Harvest

September 23October 5

Oak

21 months in 67% French
20% American
13% Hungarian


Alcohol

14.1%

Bottled

August 2011
The Red Dragon

on 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.
Highlighting

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 Vintage

2009 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 Wine

The 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 Affinities

The 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.
Accolades

93 POINTS vintage 2009
Wine Enthusiast March 2013

94 POINTS vintage 2008
Wine Enthusiast

90 POINTS vintage 2007
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate