Pott Napa Valley Red Blend 2023

2023 Pott Napa Valley Red Blend

Napa Valley / Mount Veeder, California
Rhône-style Red Blend

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Pott Red Blend is a vibrant, savory and beautifully expressive Napa red, combining the ripe fruit and spice of Zinfandel with the depth of Syrah and the peppery, floral character of Mondeuse.

Expect aromas of blackberry, blueberry, ripe plum, violet, black pepper, wild herbs and baking spice. The palate is generous and full-bodied, with layers of dark berry, black cherry, plum and spice, balanced by lively acidity and fine-grained tannins.

The finish is long and savory, with lingering notes of black pepper, dark fruit, herbs and mineral earthiness.

Unlike many Napa reds that emphasize power and oak, this wine is designed as a drink-now, food-friendly bottle, with freshness and varietal character at the forefront. Pott specifically describes it as a delicious, drink-now wine.

Interesting Facts

• A Rhône-inspired Napa wine: Pott takes an unusual approach for Napa Valley by combining Zinfandel, Syrah and Mondeuse rather than making a traditional Cabernet-based blend.
• From Mount Veeder: The wine comes from the mountainous Mount Veeder area of Napa Valley, where cooler temperatures, elevation and rugged terrain can produce wines with impressive intensity while retaining freshness.
• Mondeuse is the wild card: Mondeuse is an obscure Rhône/Alpine variety that is much less common in California. It brings pepper, floral aromatics, savory character and freshness to the blend.
• Made by Aaron Pott: Pott Wine is the project of winemaker Aaron Pott, whose background includes working in Bordeaux and Napa. His wines are known for an individualistic approach to Napa terroir rather than simply making blockbuster Cabernet.
• The fruit comes from Lagier-Meredith: The Red Blend incorporates selections from Pott's Lagier-Meredith Vineyard wines, including Zinfandel, Syrah and Mondeuse.
• Small-production philosophy: Pott's wines are primarily sold by allocation, with releases only several times a year. The winery notes that many releases sell out immediately.
• A very different side of Napa: This is a fun wine to sell to customers who think "Napa" automatically means Cabernet Sauvignon. It's an opportunity to show them a much more eclectic, Rhône-influenced side of the valley.

Critic Scores

94 Points - James Suckling

Food Pairings

This is a fantastic food wine. I'd pair it with:

• 🥩 Grilled skirt steak or flank steak
• 🍔 Gourmet burgers
• 🍖 BBQ ribs
• 🍗 Roasted chicken with herbs
• 🐑 Grilled lamb
• 🌭 Sausage and peppers
• 🍕 Pepperoni or sausage pizza
• 🍄 Wild mushroom dishes
• 🧀 Aged cheddar or Manchego

The peppery, savory character should make it particularly good with grilled meats and barbecue.

Why We Love It

This is a really fun wine for your In The Cru selection because it isn't another expensive Napa Cabernet.

Pott takes the Napa Valley landscape and does something unexpected with it: Zinfandel + Syrah + Mondeuse. The result has the richness people expect from California but also the pepper, floral notes, savory character and freshness that make Rhône blends so compelling.