Trefethen Family Vineyards

Dragon's Tooth Red Bordeaux Blend

9.2353 ratings
9.037 pro ratings
Bordeaux, France
Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Hard Cheese, Baking Spices, Exotic Spices, Chicken, Herbs, Turkey, Onion, Soft Cheese, Duck, Beans & Peas
Top Notes For
Tobin Trevarthen

First time. Hit with a big splash of vanilla. Black fruit, fig, fruit forward. Pungent nose.

First time. Hit with a big splash of vanilla. Black fruit, fig, fruit forward. Pungent nose.

3 people found it helpfulDec 10th, 2018
Shay A
9.2

Lots of family in town from out of state, so we all got together at my in-laws' country club to enjoy a meal together. A few months back, the club hosted Janet Trefethen, and we visited Trefethen winery this past February when out in Napa. Overall, I find the wines to be appropriate for the price. Nothing will blow you away, but my father-in-law loves this stuff and it's probably my favorite from the Trefethen portfolio. I actually like the '14 over the '13 as of now. Extremely jammy. The nose is hot of blueberries and toasted oak. Texture is medium but almost (but not quite) too tannic. Jasmine, violet, blackberries and plum round out the palate. Always good to be with family.

Lots of family in town from out of state, so we all got together at my in-laws' country club to enjoy a meal together. A few months back, the club hosted Janet Trefethen, and we visited Trefethen winery this past February when out in Napa. Overall, I find the wines to be appropriate for the price. Nothing will blow you away, but my father-in-law loves this stuff and it's probably my favorite from the Trefethen portfolio. I actually like the '14 over the '13 as of now. Extremely jammy. The nose is hot of blueberries and toasted oak. Texture is medium but almost (but not quite) too tannic. Jasmine, violet, blackberries and plum round out the palate. Always good to be with family.

3 people found it helpfulJun 3rd, 2017
Corey Zamora, CSW

Not my favorite offering from this house. A little flabby. Needs more structure.

Not my favorite offering from this house. A little flabby. Needs more structure.

2 people found it helpfulMay 19th, 2016
Henrik Poulsen

14.5% alc.
A blend of 52% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot (and black as midnight).

This is of course still extremely young and it might just be the blend that makes it taste "closed down" and forbiddingly tannic.
I think there's potential here but based on a few other recent 2013 Napa's I've tasted am also starting to think if this vintage really is the "slam-dunk" FOR EVERYBODY (?) that it is hyped to be....😐

14.5% alc.
A blend of 52% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot (and black as midnight).

This is of course still extremely young and it might just be the blend that makes it taste "closed down" and forbiddingly tannic.
I think there's potential here but based on a few other recent 2013 Napa's I've tasted am also starting to think if this vintage really is the "slam-dunk" FOR EVERYBODY (?) that it is hyped to be....😐

2 people found it helpfulMay 19th, 2016
B McLaren Stanley

B McLaren had this 10 years ago

B McLaren had this 10 years ago

2 people found it helpfulJun 21st, 2014
Shawn R

Acceptable but not memorable.

Acceptable but not memorable.

1 person found it helpfulMar 14th, 2017
Shay A
9.2

Similar to Freemark Abbey, my in-laws love Trefethen. For what it's worth, my limited experience with them has been pretty solid. Gorgeous estate. Most of their wines seemed like white noise to me, but I really enjoy their Dragon's Tooth. Heavy on the Malbec but it's blended so nicely. Baking spices were heavy as was blackberry jam. Finish was a tad hot, but a decant would change that.

Similar to Freemark Abbey, my in-laws love Trefethen. For what it's worth, my limited experience with them has been pretty solid. Gorgeous estate. Most of their wines seemed like white noise to me, but I really enjoy their Dragon's Tooth. Heavy on the Malbec but it's blended so nicely. Baking spices were heavy as was blackberry jam. Finish was a tad hot, but a decant would change that.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 6th, 2017
Steven Kukesh

R&D Winemaker at DFV

8.7

Bacon, smoke and oak. Too much oak...

Bacon, smoke and oak. Too much oak...

1 person found it helpfulNov 27th, 2016
Andrew Schweiger

Winemaker Schweiger Vineyards/Parry Cellars

7.3

Odd blend for this family. Slight Brett notes...a sign of infection?

Odd blend for this family. Slight Brett notes...a sign of infection?

1 person found it helpfulApr 29th, 2016
Shay A
9.3

Tasting notes from the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival...
Oh baby. Jammy. Velvety. Exudes the 2013 vintage perfectly. Definitely buying more.

Tasting notes from the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival...
Oh baby. Jammy. Velvety. Exudes the 2013 vintage perfectly. Definitely buying more.

Apr 2nd, 2016