Winemaker Notes

The 2003 Rutherford Petite Sirah is not shy as usual! Once again this wine is "squid inked" with a dark, deep purplish black color. This dense, brooding wine shows aromas of cola, wet stone, dusty earth, black pepper, tar and violets. The ultra full palate is aggressively textured with flavors of wild blackberry, dark chocolate, mocha, cedar, spicy oak and deep lasting tannins. Caution! This wine is not one for the faint at heart! Pair this monster with strong cheeses, lamb shank, and wild game.

Professional Ratings

    Elyse

    Elyse

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    Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

    Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

    HNYELEPSH03C_2003 Item# 83362