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91 Points and GOLD MEDAL
2017 Critic’s Challenge International Wine Competition

GOLD MEDAL
2016 Grand Harvest Awards

GOLD MEDAL
2017 Dan Berger International Wine Competition

Tasting Notes
The 2014 growing season provided us with exceptional fruit, and this Petit Verdot offers itself as proof. Rich aromas of perfectly ripened blackberry and black currant mingle with hints of toasty vanillin oak and violets. The juicy entry reveals a core of fresh dark berries surrounded by subtle layers of huckleberry, dark chocolate and cedar. Creamy mocha oak notes and a trace of orange zest arrive mid-palate just as the flavors broaden and linger.

Best decanted if enjoyed before 2018. Whether paired with traditional fare like beef bourguignon or a bold match like duck a l’Orange, this wine will shine.
 

Vintage: 2014
Varietals: 98% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Production: 62 cases
 

FROM KEN’S WINE GUIDE: “This pitch black colored Petite Verdot from Estate 1856 opens with a shy black currant bouquet with a hint of black licorice. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, elegant and smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty black currant and black raspberry blend with notes of cinnamon, plum and oak. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins hang on for quite some time. The Panel suggested pairing this Petit Verdot with a filet mignon or venison. Enjoy – KWGTP; March 26, 2018 Rating: Very Good+ (90 points)

Vintage Notes
The third excellent growing season in a row began in early 2014 with moderate conditions midwinter that supported early budbreak in March. A warm, relatively dry Spring in April and May created great conditions during bloom which allowed almost all of the self-fertile blooms to become pollinated to create perfectly even clusters during set in May and early June. The consistent and not-too-hot conditions during Summer produced great photosysnthetic activity in the leaves and perfect growth. Veraison completed in Fall with some cool, foggy nights followed by a timely spot of warmth to get all our varieties ready for harvest. Clusters at harvest were darkly colored with great favor intensity. Daily tasting evaluations of our wine in our fermentation tanks were consistently flavorful, giving an insight into the great wines that were to come!
 

Winemaking Notes
Our winemaking protocol demands separate small carefully temperature regulated fermentations for each varietal providing optimum treatment for our Petit Verdot. This wine is carefully pressed direct to barrel and are aged separately until rigorous barrel evaluation trials the Spring before Summer bottling. Each individual barrel is tasted for uniqueness and provides an essential blend diversity that typifies our wines, as well as an exceptional 22 month ageing period.

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