Picus Wines Feathered Thief Right Bank Red Blend Carneros 2022

Carneros may sit at the southern edge of Napa Valley, but it has long stood at the center of conversations about California wine. With vines first planted here in the 1830s, it has the distinction of being both historic and edgy—a region where the cold winds of San Pablo Bay meet shallow clay soils to create wines of striking character. Formally recognized as an AVA in 1983, Carneros is defined by its maritime influence, characterized by persistent fog, brisk breezes, and a climate that makes it Napa’s coolest and windiest district. The results are low yields and remarkable complexity, as vines are forced to struggle against heavy clay subsoils that limit rooting depth and concentrate flavor.

It is here, in this rugged and windswept corner of Napa, that Picus Wines has taken root. The brand is named for the Latin word for woodpecker, a nod to the Pileated Woodpecker featured on the label—an emblem of the wild, untamed Carneros landscape that these birds call home. Picus works exclusively with grapes sourced from carefully selected vineyards across the AVA, each chosen for its ability to express the nuanced interplay between site, soil, and climate. Behind the label is a winemaking team deeply connected to the land and skilled in coaxing out Carneros’s distinct voice in every bottle.

The 2022 Red Blend beautifully exemplifies the mastery that this winemaking team has harnessed over the Carneros AVA. Crafted from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it nods to the classic Right Bank traditions of Bordeaux while remaining firmly rooted in its Carneros home. In the glass, the wine is vibrant and alluring. Aromas of ripe plum, red currant, and violet rise alongside hints of graphite and crushed herbs. On the palate, the wine is approachable yet layered, offering supple fruit that is lifted by a fine thread of acidity. Notes of dark cherry and blackberry mingle with savory undertones, all carried by a backbone of minerality that speaks to Carneros’s clay-driven soils. The finish is long and elegant, tapering with freshness that invites another sip.

This is a wine that demonstrates how thoughtful blending and a strong sense of place can create something both accessible and profound. In a valley celebrated for bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Picus Wines offers a reminder that Napa has many voices, and some of the most captivating can be found in its southern, windswept hills.