Rethinking ripeness in Napa Valley: A fresh perspective on the region's evolution

Having tasted extensively across the contrasting 2022 and forthcoming 2023 vintages of Napa Cabernet – the former early-drinking, riper with softer tannins, and the latter a cellarworthy year marked by vivid, fresh fruit and structured tannins – it made me consider the concept of ‘ripeness’
I asked a handful of Napa’s top winemakers to reflect on their approach and perspectives on ripeness in any growing season.
I wanted to know what it means to achieve ripenes