Do you like it on it’s own? I tried the Cobblestone Petit Verdot at a tasting recently and loved it. Ordered a bottle that just came in today. Can’t wait to pick it up! Wish I saw more 1000% varietal bottlings of this great grape! (this one is 98%, so close enough)
As per the producer: “Tasting Notes: Exotic aromas of mulberry and raspberry fruits with floral notes of rose petal and allspice. The juicy, soft fruit opens up on the palate with surprisingly elegant and balanced structure and a smooth finish.”
It certainly can be amazing on its own. But, it’s a late ripener and seems rather problematic from my limited view. Some sites where it can ripen predictably, it doesn’t shine. A group of us made a non-commercial one from Lodi fruit. It was a bit incomplete, simple. Blending in 4% each of quality Merlot and Cab helped a lot. More marginal sites where it doesn’t always ripen, or ripen enough, are where I’ve seen the highest highs. It can contribute quite a bit as a minor blending component, so I can see why growing it thusly, then sometimes bottling some on its own is a good approach.
Young Inglewood makes a supremely tasty 100% Petit Verdot that is worth seeking out. Some good takes on it coming out of Washington State as well. I’ve had a few different vintages of Rasa’s Into the Limelight that were fantastic.
That being said, I would agree with Wes that it’s very difficult to get it to shine on its own. Oftentimes it can be monolithic (or maybe it’s monotone).
Thanks for the recommendation. the Rasa is available through Amazon (weird, never ordered a wine through amazon). $55 seems fair. Interesting that it’s listed as 90% Petit Verdot , 5% Cabernet Sauvignon , 5% Merlot.
[No joy finding the Young Inglewood in Cali. Only a Cabernet Sauvignon of theirs popped up.]
Rasa runs some great sales during the year. Also I would give Young Inglewood a call about availability. Stop by next time you’re in Napa. Awesome spot and experience.
Most versions of it suck. We did a few tastings from different places around the world and I try it whenever I can. There have been a few that are pretty good, and some even really good. But the disappointments far outnumber the good ones and you understand why it was almost never regarded as a good choice for the lead role once you taste a bunch of them.
A few that come to mind - Peju, Jarvis, and Michael David have done them recently in CA, the latter a big, spicy wine, Tamarak, Seven Hills and Januik and a few other folks did or do them in WA, there’s Paumanok and Wölffer out on Long Island in NY, and one of the best is consistently from Marqués de Griñon from Dominio de Valdepusa in Spain. There have been some OK ones from Australia as well.
But in the end, while their PVs were OK, all of those producers make better wine from other grapes.
Recently tasted the 2012 Clendenen Family Petit Verdot at the ABC tasting room in SB. Sometimes hard for me to judge big wines after tasting a bunch of whites and light reds, but I thought it was pretty enjoyable.
Never seen one that can compare now or ever to something like 61 Haut Brion or anything else iconic… so pass. It’s good at under 5-10% given the vintage… life’s too short for peasantries
Graham Mears wrote:
I was just gifted a 2012 Duckhorn PV by a co-worker. I have no experience with it. Anyone tasted this before? How long should I keep it?
Graham, I have not tried it, but I have seen several cases of the Duckhorn PV at our local Costco here. I would think that it will drink well for a few years, at least.
Barry- I forgot my pen in the car and didn’t take notes that day so I’m not sure. Based on the availability on the ABC website I’d guess the Bien Nacido vineyard.