2011 Retro Cellars Napa Valley Petite Sirah
Deep ruby red. Layers on the nose of floral notes, baking spices, cinnamon and black cherries. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Perfumey attack with black and blue fruits mixed together. A bit of bramble berries too. Long finish.
This is the Napa Valley designated bottling of Petite Sirah from Mike Dunn. Mike sources this fruit from the Iron Corral Vineyard in Pope Valley which is approximately 1,300 feet lower in elevation than the vineyard they use for their Old Vine Howell Mountain bottling. The soil type is alluvial which is a fine particals of slit, clay, and gravel that was deposited by water due to flood plains. In addition to the soil type these are younger vines that produce lighter tannin fruit. This wine is aged for 30 months in a combination of 90% new French oak (Billion, Garonnaise and Boutes) and 10% American oak (Gambia). Only 300 cases produced and an alcohol level of 13.4%.
2016 till 2028.
Price Point:
$$ - Tasted at the estate. Can be purchased for $35.00 from the estate.Deep ruby red with high intensity. Very interesting nose to start. Layered with gamey and floral notes, black raspberries, wet rocks and dried savory herbs. Day two added some darker and thicker blue and blackberries. Moderate tannins (7.5/10) with solid acidity giving it some killer structure. Medium plus to full bodied with a fruit forward attack comprised of black cherries and cranberries. A little bit of cinnamon and perfumey herbs too. This kept going on day two and three. Day three the acidity definitely seemed to be more integrated after spiking a bit on day two, also added some additional complexity with some leather and earthy notes. Still carried a long finish till the end. This is an incredible little baby that will only get better with time.
This is the Napa Valley designated bottling of Petite Sirah from Mike Dunn. Mike sources this fruit from the Iron Corral Vineyard in Pope Valley which is approximately 1,300 feet lower in elevation than the vineyard they use for their Old Vine Howell Mountain bottling. The soil type is alluvial which is a fine particals of slit, clay, and gravel that was deposited by water due to flood plains. In addition to the soil type these are younger vines that produce lighter tannin fruit. This wine is aged for 30 months in a combination of 90% new French oak (Billion, Garonnaise and Boutes) and 10% American oak (Gambia). Only 300 cases produced and an alcohol level of 13.4%.
2016 till 2026.
Price Point:
$$ - Provided as a sample from the estate. Can be purchased for $35.00 from the estate.