Nose
Intense, lifted fruit aromas of
fresh strawberry preserves, red plum and boysenberry, intertwined with notes of white
peppercorn, smoked bacon and dried sage.
Palate
Ripe and luscious, the palate enters with a
rush of fresh, brambly blackberry and strawberry tart that melts into silky spun sugar,
sweet vanilla and graham cracker flavors. The meandering finish lingers, backed by
sturdy tannins and balanced by bright acidity.
Growing Conditions
The majority of the fruit for our 2011 Petit Verdot was sourced from our
vineyards in Oakville and Stags Leap District, with a small amount from our Rutherford
blocks. Petit Verdot is a late-ripening varietal, and these warm regions encourage the
development of complex flavors and a rich mouthfeel.
The mild 2011 vintage allowed for a long hang time,
resulting in evenly ripe, complex flavors in the berries.
Harvest
The fruit for this wine was harvested
at an optimal level of ripeness late September to late October.
Winemaking
Fermentation took place
at a high temperature to ensure that maximum extraction was achieved.
Aging
Racked to 35% new French oak barrels. The wine was aged in barrel for a total of 18
months before bottling.
Appearance
A deep, ruby-purple wine.
Food Pairing
Dark, intense and inviting, this wine would make a lovely accompaniment
to a meal rich and flavorsome enough to balance its opulent complexity, such as duck
cassoulet or steak frites. Our Petit Verdot would also make a delectable cheese course
when paired with Mimolette, a hard, aged cow’s milk cheese.