Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Petit Verdot 2016, Jordan Vineyard Reserve, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California

Tasting Note: Petit verdot is a grape varietal that winemakers often add only a bit of to their Bordeaux-inspired blends because it’s so powerful, which makes it a special treat to enjoy the grape varietal by itself.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of black currant, raspberry puree, crushed-dried violet and black cherry with hints of vanilla baking spice.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied petit verdot has medium-intensity, black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and grippy, medium-plus-tannin.

The wine is velvety in mouthfeel with layered-midpalate complexity that ultimately completes with a long, slightly-chalky finish.

Smooth and rich yet not overpowering.

Bottle Note: Sunce is a family winery located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County specializing in small artisan lots of vineyard designated varietal wine and classic blends. A deep blue-black hue leads you to the mystery that is petit verdot. As it unravels, subtle aromatics of musty wine cellars and country-side breezes greet your nostalgic mind. Shades of blood plums mixed with brighter blueberry fruit essence play on the mid-palate, while canella and just a touch of smoke lingers in the background. Its noticeable tannins are gentle, and the stick coating left in the mouth is laden with a dry, yet gob-smacking fruit aftertaste. A sensual, tactile feeling remains, beckoning for a good food pairing. Be inventive; have it with: Shashlik shish kebab, Iranian Biryani, Mexican Adobo, beef with mole, Chinese barbeque pork or any food with plenty of protein and fat. Consider rich cuts of red meat, and well-aged cheeses, like Stilton. In vegetarian fare, have it with rich curries with root vegetables and pumpkin. Frane Franicevic, winemaker. Only 6 barrels made.