Waterfall, Old Vine Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley, 2023

Waterfall was established by wine industry veteran Boris Guillome in 2013. His vision was to create a "micro-production" label (initially launching with just 140 cases) that prioritized fruit from heritage sites over mass-market volume. The brand is built on the "discovery" model—offering elite winemaking expertise at a more accessible tier than typical Napa cult reds. While the brand operates with a quiet, minimalist aesthetic, its guiding philosophy—and de facto motto—is "Pure, Focused, and Spectacular." It reflects a commitment to let the "gnarled" old vines speak for themselves without over-manipulation in the cellar. This wine is a true Bordeaux-style blend with Cabernet Sauvignon’s dark-fruit backbone and Cabernet Franc’s aromatic lift. Aged 18–22 months in 40–60% new French oak. This meticulous process softens old-vine tannins, integrating elegant notes of cedar and spice while preserving the fruit’s intense, concentrated purity and mid-palate richness. This full-bodied red offers a dense, mouth-coating palate of blackberry compote and tobacco. Its old-vine heritage shines through velvety tannins and a seamless, earthy finish. Balanced acidity ensures the concentrated fruit remains vibrant, delivering a sophisticated, powerful expression of Napa Valley terroir. Pair this bold red with a rosemary-crusted rack of lamb or a dry-aged ribeye to let the wine's tannins cut through the rich fats.