2017 NAPA VALLEY VINTAGE HIGHLIGHTS:

• James Suckling calls it a traumatic vintage, marked by wildfires that started on 8 Oct.

• However, a warm growing season helped ripen grapes earlier and many reds were already picked and safe from smoke taint.

• 2017 is likened to 1997 and 2015 vintages, with reds tending to dark black fruit characteristics with ample tannins.