A delicious dessert wine, dark ruby in color, and super-aromatic with caramelized wood, blackcurrant, chocolate and vanilla notes. The chocolate fudge, blackberry tart and spicy gingerbread flavors are intense. Very sweet, yet balanced with acidity. Makes you think of winter fireplaces, chocolate truffles and someone special.
— S.H.
(2/1/2005)
This is a gorgeous young Petite Sirah. Most people will probably drink it soon, because although it’s tannic, it’s tremendously ripe in blackberries, cherries, chocolate and sweet oak, making it irresistibly delicious. But it should be drinkable for a very long time, slowly changing its profile and becoming ever more delicate.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Very, very sweet, with exotic flavors of honey, black cherry liqueur, raspberry tart, white chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla cream and cinnamon spice, balanced with crisp acidity. In other words, delicious.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
Very rich and opulent, a Chardonnay that can stand on its own alongside most anything from the Russian River. Crisp in acidity, and fueled with oak, it shows complex flavors of pineapples, Asian pears, buttered cinnamon toast, vanilla custard and smoke.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
A huge wine, yet balanced and even elegant. Filled with ripe cherries, blackberries, grilled meat, white chocolate and smoky oak, and sturdy in tannins, although they’re soft and sweet. Delicious now, and should age effortlessly through this decade.
— S.H.
(3/1/2005)
This Chardonnay reads on the nose and palate like key lime pie. Sweet and sour citrus notes are offset by graham cracker, vanilla and ginger snap. This is great juice with plenty of dimension—at once smooth and full, creamy and spicy. Don’t drink it for dessert, though—try it with grilled chicken in a citrus and spice marinade. Top Value.
— W.E.
(7/1/2001)
Guenoc/Langtry makes a more accessible, $17 Petite Sirah under its Guenoc label but for true Petite Sirah aficionados this Serpentine Meadow vineyard-designated wine is really the one to reach for. Closed at first, the wine is dark, earthy and tannic, heady with blackberry and cherry but especially licorice, with a well-executed, balanced finish. Could cellar 3–5…
— V.B.
(12/1/2011)
Dry and fashionable, this has a dusty, minerally character and high acidity that’s reminiscent of a good Chablis. The cool, long vintage resulted in subtle peach, pear, pineapple and spice flavors.
— S.H.
(2/1/2008)