Winemaker Notes
In contrast to the finesse of the Grenache from Palisades Vineyard, this Petite Sirah is all power. Petite Sirah is known for color but this is dark and inky enough that if other petites could blush from being envious, they would. Enormously concentrated, sumptuous and structured, with an array of brooding dark fruits, freshly turned black earth, licorice, black pepper and rose hip. As massive as this wine is, its tannins are remarkable refined. This wine will outlive all of us.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Sporting an inky purple color, the 2016 Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard Old Vines is a more elegant expression of the variety that’s going to age incredibly well. Blueberries, crushed violets, scorched earth, and spice notes all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated effort that stays compact, tight, and straight on the palate. Deep, impressively concentrated, and always balanced and pure, it needs a decant if drinking any time soon but will keep for 20+ years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Petite Sirah Old Vines Palisades Vineyard is inky purple-black in color with a nose of cassis, redcurrants and asphalt with nuances of pepper and earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is very firm, grainy and lively, finishing long and earthy.
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.