By Duane Pemberton
Winery website: www.stagsleap.com
Stags’ Leap Winery was established in 1893, making it one of the oldest wineries in the State of California and the oldest in the Stags Leap district. It has built a loyal following off of its Petite Sirah and for good reason – using 30-year old vines helps add a very nice character to the wine.
Technical Data:
- Blend: 80% Petite Sirah, 20% Other (Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre)
- Cooperage: 100% American Oak – 25% new for 14 months
- Alcohol: 14.1%
- Price: $38
Nose: Marionberry, squid ink, pencil lead, forest floor and blackberry compote. I also get some nice bits of leather, violet and of strawberry as well as blueberry.
Taste: A sublime Petite Sirah if ever there was one. The complexity of the fruit across the entire spectrum of the palate begs you to pound a bottle of this with reckless abandon. Stellar fruit that glides well on the tongue and is complimented well with tannin and acid. The finish lingers on for months.
