Mission Codename Birthday swim
“COHO are all big, overt and totally delicious.” – Robert Parker
Big. Overt. Totally delicious.
Year after year, COHO delivers all the gravitas of a serious Napa red without the high-ticket price tag. Even at retail they’re a steal, but from us, at this price?? You cannot go wrong. 92 points, too!
No wonder it’s long been one of our best-selling reds, since the 2010 vintage!
COHO has a well-earned reputation for making Bordeaux-style reds that punch way above their weight class. Proprietor Gary Lipp focuses on Napa Valley’s highly acclaimed Coombsville region, where cooler temperatures enable the fruit to develop concentrated flavors at higher ripeness levels with refreshing, balancing acidity. It helps to have winemaker Phillip Titus along for the ride. A name you may recall from his longstanding work at Chappellet, consistently churning some of the best of Napa Valley on Pritchard Hill.
This is serious, brawny, “flex your biceps” stuff. LUSH and heady but definitely not a one-trick MMA bruiser. Plenty of finesse and multi-dimensional deliciousness as it goes all Krav Maga on your palate, bending your taste buds into submission. The blend changes each year, this one is driven by Merlot with a bit of Cab and Petit Verdot in supporting roles. This vintage shows a softer, plusher, riper side. A potent mixture of pristine fruit and savory elements within. Mission figs, raspberry, blackberry, plum, currant, earthy tobacco, licorice, 70% dark chocolate, toasty French oak, and soft tannins. Simply marvelous, and yes, totally delicious.
We’d love to pour some in your mouth because you’d buy it if you could taste it. Of course, the COHO contingent already knows this. This is all we have left and it’s not much. A blink-and-you-might-miss-it type of opportunity.
92 Points – James Suckling
“Hints of cherries, blackberries, olives, and spices on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Textured, chalky and structured. Ripe cherries on the finish. Drink or hold.”
What the Winery Says
2017 'Headwaters' Napa Valley Red
- Winemaker
- Philip Titus
- Varietals
- 81% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
- Vintage
- 2017
- Alcohol
- 14.7%
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Pre-fermentation
- 3-day 100% whole berry cold soak
- Fermentation
- 8 days with 8 days extended maceration
- Bottling date
- August 22, 2019
- Release date
- October 2020
- Aging
- 21 months
- Barrels
- 45% new French oak