***RECENTLY BOTTLED WINE, SHIPPING BEGINS NEXT WEEK***
Plantings of Petit Verdot are scarce in California, making up less than 1% of total plantings. In Sonoma, it accounts for less than 300 acres in the entire county. However, the tiny amounts produced are with purpose – either as a force multiplier to elevate a red wine to the next level, or in even rarer cases, as a single-varietal release with serious intent. Today’s find is one such hidden treasure.
Petit Verdot is a bit of a “diva” – it’s a late ripening grape that needs a long growing season to fully mature (which isn’t always guaranteed). The tight clusters tend to trap excess moisture, and its tiny berries have a high skin-to-juice ratio that requires careful canopy and water management. It often suffers from uneven berry development. Even a well-farmed vineyard can result in disappointment if the weather doesn’t cooperate. All that said, it’s a high-risk, high-reward grape that’s sublime when everything goes right, and that’s what we’ve secured here – an outstanding ’23 vintage Petit Verdot with balance, elegance, and finesse that’s a deserving titleholder for the first we’ve ever sourced from Sonoma for this program.
Lot 541 is a rare 100% Petit Verdot from a local producer specializing in high-end, single-vineyard wines. Their approach to this tricky varietal involves crafting it with a precision most wineries typically save for their flagship programs, which allowed the grape’s robustness and natural fruit profile to shine. A beautifully structured wine that oozes finesse and nuance, it’s sold at $45+/bottle direct from the winery, but we’ve managed to secure a batch for you at a killer price well under $20 including shipping – that’s almost 60% OFF!
Our price: $109/6-pack, $18+/bottle!
On the southwest slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, these old vines are rooted to free-draining volcanic soils and awash in intense sunlight, perfectly tempered by coastal influences off nearby San Pablo Bay. 2023’s pristine conditions produced some of the finest crop quality our source has ever seen. At every step from harvest to bottling, the wine was meticulously hand-crafted with carefully measured inputs. Aged in 100% French oak for 18 months, the result is nothing short of spectacular.
Pouring a beautiful ruby hue, this Petit Verdot defies expectation with its poised restraint and lifted aromatics. On the nose, violet and lilac florals are layered over dark cherries, plums, and a halo of fresh sage and blue fruit. A remarkably elegant palate opens with plum and black cherry, accented by white pepper, fresh-turned earth, and new leather. Medium acidity provides lift, while fine-grained fresh tannins stretch across the palate with near endless length. A beautiful barrel-focused character reveals itself on the finish, followed by resonant fruit tones and vanilla blossoms that linger long after the last sip.
