Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Napa Valley Red 2019

All of you are probably now familiar with the husband-and-wife operation at Trefethen that has been in Oak Knoll since 1973. Since they re-established the original winery from 1886, Janet and John have done an incredible job with their gorgeous estate, boasting the only wooden gravity-flow winery in the entire region. They’re really incredible.

But some of you may not be familiar with their homage to their Welsh roots and their ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ Bordeaux Blend, a gorgeous Big Red that’s made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. The label features a red dragon who, according to British legend, defeated a white dragon in a great battle in the sky. A young Merlin watched the duel with King Vortigern and then predicted the coming of King Arthur, leading Vortigern’s Welsh army to victory over the invading Saxons.

The ‘Dragon’s Tooth’ is Janet and John’s favorite wine for their own consumption. It’s a dazzling blend that always meshes beautifully, flashing generous fruit on the palate but also backing it up with lively acidity which gives it structure, energy and depth. They don’t just love it for sentimental reasons–the wine is really excellent.