2023 Arling Blaze 'Hope Dies Last' Proprietary Red Napa Valley

The darker side of California wine. That's how Arling Blaze describes itself, and the wine names back it up: Sigrid in Black, Hold Your Fire, Eternal Embrace. Hope Dies Last is the brand's proprietary red, and the line on the bottle sums up its attitude: "There is hope for us yet."

A Napa-trained winemaker behind it. Arling Blaze wines are made by Robert Smith, whose career runs through Quintessa, Seven Stones and Covert Estate, with time at Quixote and mentors including Aaron Pott and Philippe Melka. He likes rich fruit wrapped in a smooth, polished structure, and this wine shows both.

Cabernet for structure, Zinfandel for energy. The 2023 blend is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Zinfandel and 25% Merlot. Cabernet brings the backbone and dark fruit, Zinfandel adds a juicy raspberry drive, and Merlot rounds off the edges. It's a big, generous red that still feels fresh, and it really opens up with some air.