Excellent wine, but give this one a little air before a swirl and sniff or you will be questioning whether or not you want to drink it. At first, I thought I had a rinse problem with my glass washer but after sniffing a couple of other glasses from the same load, it was apparent it was in the wine. It cleared up in about 7 minutes. The 18 months in oak may have added a characteristic that needed a minute or two to disperse before tasting. All of the sudden the distinct smell of a big powerful Petite Sirah was making its way through my olfactory senses. Dark berry fruit aromas hammer home the Napa Valley style of Petite Sirah fruit. The flavors echo the aromas and right before the finish after you have experienced the texturally titillating mid-palate comes a hint of dark berry cherrylisciousness followed by a mouth filling lingering finish. Pair this wine with the usual suspects that tend to be present when Petite Sirah is being enjoyed.

Rating: Excellent (90) | $36 | 14.1% ABV

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