#89
Post
by D. HEIN » July 26th, 2019, 12:25 pm
Bought two cases each of the Rockland, 1992 and 1993 PSs, reviewed below by Robert Parker. Began drinking these wines last year, and, for my wife’s and my taste, thoroughly enjoyable. I suspect these PSs’ have another 10+ years of drinkability. The only issue with this grape, is the time required to reach excellent drinking maturity. Admittedly, I prefer to drink very mature wine. Who’s willing, to purchase and wait 26 years, to drink a wine? Can be very expensive!
In any event, this was the beginning wine era for the great Mark Aubert!
ROCKLAND
Petite Sirah
150 cases produced
Napa, California
1993-Readers may remember my ecstatic reviews of Rockland's 1992 Petite Sirah. The 1993 is another dazzling example of this under estimated varietal. An impressively saturated, dense purple color is followed by a thick, juicy, full bodied wine with great fruit and intensity, good spice, superb focus, and a sweet, tannic, heady finish. This is a classic Petite Sirah. While the wine is approachable, it ideally needs another 3 to 5 years of cellaring. This large scaled, inky colored monster will last for 20+ years. Drink: 2013 to 2016+. Last tasted, 2/96. Rating, 93.
1992-The 1992 Petite Sirah is from the family owned vineyard, of Peter Michael Winery's highly talented wine maker, Mark Aubert. Made from 45 year old vines situated outside Calistoga, near Chateau Montelena, the wine was aged for 24 months in 25% new oak casks and bottled unfiltered. It is a tremendously impressive Petite Sirah, with more Syrah characteristics than Petite Sirah. The color is an opaque purple. Although initially closed, the nose opens to reveal aromas of smoke, black currants, and black raspberries. Full bodied, rich and beautifully balanced, with unobtrusive, but noticeable tannin, as well as adequate acidity and a sensational finish, the wine coats the mouth with a viscous feel. While accessible, this superb effort should hit its peak in 3 to 4 years and last for two decades. Drink: 2000 to 2020+. Last tasted, 4/95. Rating, 92.
Indeed, an admirer of the great Petit Sirahs!
Donn Hein