Winemaker Notes
Petite Syrah has long been a part of the history of Stags' Leap Winery. The 70-year-old vineyards located in front of the Manor House on the estate's deep, rock soils, contribute to this blend, together with fruit from established Petite Syrah growers throughout Napa Valley. Each year, Winemaker Kevin Morrisey creates a wine that reflects the property's ongoing commitment to this varietal by combining this diversity into a classic and complex blend.
The rich aromatics of the 2004 Petite Syrah include ripe black fruit, black currants, cocoa and hints of vanilla. On the palate, blackberry, black plums integrate with back notes of maple syrup, creme brulee, and hints of earth, to introduce a very full and voluptuous mouthfeel. With classic Petite Syrah tannin structure, this wine finishes with a long, chewy bitter-chocolate finish.
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.