At a glance

Producer

N.A.P.A. Wine Project

Region

Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$75-120 (auction and secondary market, as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Dried blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco leaf, savory herbs, subtle graphite, integrated oak, fine tannins, leather and earth on finish.

Evolution: Primary fruit fading; tertiary notes pronounced. Complex, with freshness if stored properly.

At peak: Shows best depth, complexity, and integration between 2016-2021, now delivering classic aged Napa structure if well cellared.

Structure

Acidity

Medium; balanced with tertiary development

Tannins

Resolved, silky, medium level

Alcohol

Moderate to high (13.5-14.5%)

Aging potential

Peaked, best enjoyed by 2025 for optimal freshness

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2016 to 2021

Optimal window

2014 to 2022

Current status

At maturity; may be declining toward end of peak window for some cellared bottles.

Current condition

Sound bottles are drinking well but further aging is not recommended; fruit integration is complete, with some tertiary notes emerging.

The 2009 vintage combined moderate tannin with generous Napa fruit, reaching seamless integration of structure, oak, and tertiary development by 2016-2021. The wine is now post-peak but still elegant, expressive, and complex if provenance is sound.

Food pairing

Grilled ribeye, roast lamb, mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses. Also pairs with dishes supported by herbal or umami notes.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Producer reported moderate sustainability efforts: minimal herbicide use, some vineyard cover cropping, limited water conservation efforts. Packaging is traditional glass bottles with standard cork closure. No lightweight bottles or alternative packaging for this bottling vintage.

As of the 2009 vintage, N.A.P.A. Wine Project was not a leader in sustainability. Vineyard practices were above mandatory minimums but did not meet the best-in-class sustainability benchmarks. Improvements since 2015 are not relevant to this vintage; overall, the sustainability impact of this specific wine is average to slightly below average by contemporary standards.