Crane Family Vineyards
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Nestled on the instep of Napa Valley's Mt. Veeder, our hillside vineyard, Don Raffaele Estate, was named for my late father who introduced me to the art of winemaking many years ago. As a gentleman farmer, I have grown grapes and made wine for more than a decade on this estate, first as an amateur, and now as a professional vintner. The microclimate of the vineyard is one of the best-kept secrets in the Napa Valley. Its terroir imparts intense and varied flavors to the grapes. Today, our passion is in sharing the expression of the vineyard's fruit with our family and friends.
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Directions
From Downtown Napa drive west on First Street. Cross Highway 29 and proceed another 2.6 miles ahead to Borrette Lane (First Street will change its name to Browns Valley Road, then to Partrick Road). Turn right on Borrette Lane and proceed one-quarter mile to the top of the hill and our vineyard entrance. The gate will open for you automatically.
From Up Valley and South of Napa City follow Highway 29 and exit at First Street in Napa. From the exit, turn left (west) and proceed another 2.6 miles ahead to Borrette Lane (First Street will change its name to Browns Valley Road, then to Partrick Road). Turn right on Borrette Lane and proceed one-quarter mile to the top of the hill and our vineyard entrance. The gate will open for you automatically.
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Estate Cabernet
Dark garnet color and aromas of smoke and spice give way to the taste of ripe currant, blackberry and a hint of chocolate. Gentle tannins proclaim their presence at the back of the throat, creating a wonderfully silky sensation. This year's Estate Cabernet showed early balance and complexity, rendering a big, thoroughly fruitful and delightfully tannic wine.
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Estate Merlot
Ruby in color, the wine fills the air with aromas of berries from the moment the cork is pulled. The bouquet is overtaken by high notes of hickory smoke and subtle tones of rosemary. Bright raspberry envelops the palate and is pursued by lingering flavors of toasty vanilla and coffee. The rich texture and a silken mouth feel add dimension to a long finish.
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Hilltop Selection Cabernet
The scent of mocha-laced sweet oak and black cherry in this deep garnet wine give way to an earthy taste emanating from the shale terroir in which it was grown. Plush wild berry bursts forth, followed by hints of sage and smoky cedar. This polished wine is immediately drinkable, but its firm tannins and structure will help it stand the test of time.
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Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet block in our vineyard is now six years old and capable of delivering the pristine fruit we require for the production of our Estate Cabernet. The fruit is grown on the lower slope of the vineyard where the soil is an alluvial loam. This is our first release of Cabernet Sauvignon and we have chosen to blend in some of our Estate Merlot to make it drinkable early. However, this Cabernet can be cellared for years and will continue to develop with age.
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