Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Not yet bottled, the 2013 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard could possibly rival the near-perfection of the 2013 Pesenti Petite Syrah. Blueberry, blackberry, acacia flowers and almost gravelly alluvial notes jump from the glass of this full-bodied, massive, concentrated wine. The tannins are very high, but they are sweet and well-integrated. This should turn out to be a prodigious Petite Syrah to begin drinking in about 10-15 years and cellar for children and grandchildren over the following 30-50 or more years. Petite Syrah, if you haven’t guessed by now, is the quintessential anti-oxidant among red wines and has almost immortal aging potential. Rating: 96+
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.