A fabulous Petite Sirah for serious fans of the variety. Shows typically big tannins and high alcohol, with full-bodied, concentrated mountain flavors of blackberries, currants, roasted meat and pepper. Best of all is the balance of its parts, resulting in elegance despite the power.
— S.H.
(12/31/2010)
Big, big, big! This is a mountain-grown Bordeaux blend, based on Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s tremendous all around. Explodes in jammy blackberries, blueberries, currants, cherries and mocha, and the tannins are strong, but refined. Combines elegance and power, and should develop over the next 6–8 years.
— S.H.
(12/31/2010)
Defines Rockpile Zinfandel in intensity of fruit and high alcohol which is in keeping with the volume. There are few red wines in the world like this. It’s fully dry, with potent flavors of baked blackberries, blackcurrants, cola and peppery spices, and the tannins are huge, but negotiable. Demands the richest grilled meats and cheeses.
— S.H.
(12/22/2011)
If you want subtlety go elsewhere. What you get with this wine is Petite Sirah power and Rockpile intensity. The combo is a dry, tannic wine of enormous flavor. Blackberries, black cherries, currants, plums, mocha, bacon, pepper spice, sandalwood and smoky toast flood the mouth. Will last for a long time, but you want to drink this wine in its flashy youth.
— S.H.
(4/1/2010)
). Very good wine from a winery increasingly known for its red varieties, and one of the best Cabernets ever to hail from this appellation. It shows a dry, distinguished tannin structure and the concentration of flavors typical of this warm, low-yielding region, with black currant intensity. Give it a decant and drink over the next six years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2012)
Mainly from hillside grapes, this Zin is far more tannic and concentrated than Mauritson’s regular Zin. But it’s by no means undrinkable, because the blackberry, blueberry and pepper flavors are just delicious. Still, it should benefit from a few years of aging.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
Made from the old Clone 1, which gives classic grass and citrus flavors, and the Musqué clone, which contributes brighter gooseberry notes. Absolutely dry, and boosted by mouthwateringly zesty acidity, it also has low alcohol. This is one of the purest expressions of unoaked, non-malolactic Sauvignon Blanc in California.
— S.H.
(8/1/2006)
This big, high-octane Zinfandel trades elegance for sheer power. It’s dry, at the expense of high alcohol, and massive in flavors, offering a flood of black currants, raisins, chocolate, anise, cola and peppery spices. Decant for a few hours and drink with short ribs and similar rich fare.
— S.H.
(4/1/2010)