Way more approachable out of the bottle than the more acclaimed but younger 2012 Ne Cede Malis. For sure still within its drink date if cellared well and consumed within the first couple of hours.
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As someone who very much leans more old world, I wasn't expecting to like this. I did. Yes, it's inky, jammy, and a touch oaky, but it was really well made and delicious. Blackberries were the predominant theme. Drink up.
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This wine is holding up well dark inky black in colour aromatic dark berries and plum with a solid mid palate and for me the only thing was a slight dry finish on the back palate but nothing a nice fat steak won’t calm down this Durif is well made and true to style.
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In a totally blind tasting of 14 wines from 10 different people, this 8 year old wine leaped out as a strong candidate for wine of the night. Pitch black to the edge, vividly flavored, concentrated, and layered. Rich, powerful, and lush without being heavy or monolithic. Not a single person identified the predominate grape as being Petite Sirah, largely because that grape seldom rivals the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon. Stags' Leap is one of the few wineries in Napa that makes a flagship wine from Petite Sirah, that is made from a 5 acre very old vine plot- their Ne Cede Malis that is priced over $100 at the winery. This Napa Valley version of Petite Sirah is great introduction to their Petite Sirahs, that is much more affordable partly because it blends estate grapes with purchased fruit from diverse Napa appellations. The only wine in the tasting that had not a drop left in the bottle at the end of the tasting. Kudos to Stags' Leap for demonstrating how Petite Sirah can make a seriously great Napa wine.
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Bought this about 4 years ago and left it in the cellar to see how it would evolve. It hasn't much. It still is as dark as squid ink and fairly intense. The nose is more muted and the oak not as noticeable but it isn't very interesting. Maybe 3 or 4 years more will change it a little. Tannins are only noticeable at the end. It feels over-extracted. Not something I would hunt for again.
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Pop and poured. Drank over 30 mins. Casual session at ES BK. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purple colour. Legs. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of smoke, black pepper, blackberries, black cherries, salty black olives. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14.1%), grippy high tannins. full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of blackberry jam, black cherries, smoky black pepper, salty black olives, and some vanilla milk. Medium finish. Good quality. Varietally correct. Still very fresh fruit for a 7 year old inexpensive wine. Oak already integrated. Fruits still going strong. Tannins may still smoothen a bit more over the next 2-3 years. But I don't think overall it's really going to improve much more. Enjoy, preferably with a BBQ.
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This petite sirah was stunning. Would have been happy to serve this for a holiday dinner - as this was a very high quality red that I think everyone at the table (including those who are not big fans of reds generally) would have very much enjoyed.
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Inky; sweet mixed clean darker fruit with floral and earth notes; would also have guessed syrah as the fruit is sweeter and the earth/tannin is more modest than most PS; very easy to drink, even with Asian fusion food
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First out of a case for me and only 1 day off the truck. Incredibly inky/dark with cork almost stained black. Dark fruit dominates without much spice coming through for me. Appeared to be drinking well -- very pleasing and representative of that district in napa
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New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): Opaque, very dark core with bright magenta rim; sweet dark fruit, floral, a bit reductive, meat, salami; very floral on the palate, plush texture but heavier weight, pencil lead, cedar, dark fruit, juicy fruit but seemingly a lower acid varietal; thought this was more Syrah-like; good, one of the better ones today.
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I got to enjoy this wine again. Just like the first time a year ago, this has very bold yet pure wild fruit expression with some leather in the backdrop. It's a tannic beast but the fruit is very present and quite enjoyable. Highly recommend it.
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black in color; big brooding mixed dark berry with earth, some sweetness and integrated tannins; enough acidity to carry it off. On day 2, hasn't lost a step, as more clean earth competes with the slightly sweet fruit
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reticent nose; good dark berry and earth; less sweetness and thus more savory than i recall; balanced and built to last. Worked with the cheeses and pizza.
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I was caught a bit off guard by how approachable this wine is at a fairly young age. Typical dark color, and little to no heat. Strong blue fruit, round tannins, long fruity finish, good balance. Good depth.
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At Salt Creek Grille, Princeton, with Jen and Sue R. (The night before delivering Ursula via C-Section): Just had a bit but this was a delicious wine! Very tasty and a good pairing with XX. Perhaps a new family tradition.
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Vinturi fast decant Deep, dark, royal purple rim, with some petulance on the pour Full bodied, high alcohol, lots of dark fruit leather, hints of vanilla+oak Massive fruit explosion. Blackberry, plums with lots of smoke Dry, with some tannins
Fond memories of this wine. Four Seasons Seattle many years ago.
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Even a very well made Petite Sirah just doesn't hit my taste buds in a good way. Where people thought this was strong and powerful, I thought it was clunky and overly alcoholic.
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Decanted for an hour. Bell pepper and a deep cherry topped with a hint of mint. Minor earth tones in the mix as well. Legs that don't quit, they have arches! Sweetened apricot and berries with a twist of mint and anise. Very tasty
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Decant time of about 2 hours, this is as dark a colored wine as you will find, almost black in appearance. Bouquet is slightly fruity and has a distinct mint odor with a touch of pepper. Very long, slow legs. The flavor is dense and structured with some heat to it, a boysenberry tang is what initially hits along with the tannins, the finish is on the longer side and for me the best part, 30 seconds later it is still tingling your tongue.
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Dark purple color, little to no rim variation. Nose shows blue fruit, chocolate, zesty blackberry. Lots of structure here, a teeth stainer for sure. Fruit layers change throughout. This should age for a while.
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WCC Petite Sirah Blind (Provence Restaurant, Albany, NY): [Contributed by the general manager of the restaurant, Jamie Beale] Gorgeous nose of intense black fruit and bacon. Extracted, young, tannic, ripe, harmonious and balanced. A terrific young wine. Group #2. One of my favorites.
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After opening this bottle we waited with anticipation we might add for 10 minutes. We really this Petite Sirah on the front it had nice aromas of red fruit and subtle spices. on the taste it was easy to pick up raspberries and a hint of blueberries perhaps. Nice easy tannins. At the finish we noted a spiciness or perhaps peppery finish. We have 4 bottles and will hold off over the next 4 years to see how this one mellows.
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Gave a few hours of air in the decanter. Nose full of spicy meats and foresty bark, berries and wild flowers. On the palate comes bitter chocolate and tart fruits, layered with strong tannin. Might let bottle number two sit for a long long while. Finishes a touch hot, yet very round and supple at the same time. PJG: 91
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9/13/2020 - JElk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Way more approachable out of the bottle than the more acclaimed but younger 2012 Ne Cede Malis. For sure still within its drink date if cellared well and consumed within the first couple of hours.
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5/9/2020 - Ketch1288 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always a fav Petite. Big wine and dark color, smooth finish, fruit forward...cherry, plum. Def not past it’s prime. Drinking beautifully now.
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12/11/2019 - tastark Likes this wine:
As someone who very much leans more old world, I wasn't expecting to like this. I did. Yes, it's inky, jammy, and a touch oaky, but it was really well made and delicious. Blackberries were the predominant theme. Drink up.
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7/13/2019 - WwwThommo Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is holding up well dark inky black in colour aromatic dark berries and plum with a solid mid palate and for me the only thing was a slight dry finish on the back palate but nothing a nice fat steak won’t calm down this Durif is well made and true to style.
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12/20/2018 - Ketch1288 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking great. Great Petite Syrah. Always consistent
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6/2/2018 - Mossrose wrote: 93 Points
In a totally blind tasting of 14 wines from 10 different people, this 8 year old wine leaped out as a strong candidate for wine of the night. Pitch black to the edge, vividly flavored, concentrated, and layered. Rich, powerful, and lush without being heavy or monolithic. Not a single person identified the predominate grape as being Petite Sirah, largely because that grape seldom rivals the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon. Stags' Leap is one of the few wineries in Napa that makes a flagship wine from Petite Sirah, that is made from a 5 acre very old vine plot- their Ne Cede Malis that is priced over $100 at the winery. This Napa Valley version of Petite Sirah is great introduction to their Petite Sirahs, that is much more affordable partly because it blends estate grapes with purchased fruit from diverse Napa appellations. The only wine in the tasting that had not a drop left in the bottle at the end of the tasting. Kudos to Stags' Leap for demonstrating how Petite Sirah can make a seriously great Napa wine.
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4/12/2018 - Mattkrip68 wrote: 88 Points
Still not very interesting, but a decent wine.
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3/18/2018 - DoubleMagnum wrote: 88 Points
Bought this about 4 years ago and left it in the cellar to see how it would evolve. It hasn't much. It still is as dark as squid ink and fairly intense. The nose is more muted and the oak not as noticeable but it isn't very interesting. Maybe 3 or 4 years more will change it a little. Tannins are only noticeable at the end. It feels over-extracted. Not something I would hunt for again.
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10/4/2017 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 90 Points
Pop and poured. Drank over 30 mins. Casual session at ES BK.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purple colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of smoke, black pepper, blackberries, black cherries, salty black olives. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14.1%), grippy high tannins. full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of blackberry jam, black cherries, smoky black pepper, salty black olives, and some vanilla milk. Medium finish.
Good quality. Varietally correct. Still very fresh fruit for a 7 year old inexpensive wine. Oak already integrated. Fruits still going strong. Tannins may still smoothen a bit more over the next 2-3 years. But I don't think overall it's really going to improve much more. Enjoy, preferably with a BBQ.
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9/15/2017 - redz wrote: 90 Points
No formal notes, good, not great
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8/22/2017 - winewitch59 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fabulous wine. Glad we waited to consume as it was perfection.
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12/20/2016 - winewitch59 wrote:
Gave to Kirk and Darlene, Yule 2016.
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12/2/2016 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
Black; dense young blackberry, and earth
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9/22/2016 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 92 Points
ripe blackberry;deep and long
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7/2/2016 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 92 Points
big and dark in the glass; nice mix of earth and slightly sweet mixed wild berry; good mouth feel and balance
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5/28/2016 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 92 Points
inky dark; deep black raspberry and earth with good acidity to keep it bright; better than when tasted last year.
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5/14/2016 - Intellectual Sasquatch Likes this wine: 90 Points
Had with BBQ. Nice blend of fruit & tannins without too much oak. Continued to open over 2+ hours. Good QPR.
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2/12/2016 - Anative Likes this wine: 91 Points
Always a favorite.
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12/22/2015 - wabi47 wrote: 91 Points
very dark; sweet mixed wild berry and clean earth; so easy to drink.
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7/11/2015 - Terramare Likes this wine: 94 Points
This petite sirah was stunning. Would have been happy to serve this for a holiday dinner - as this was a very high quality red that I think everyone at the table (including those who are not big fans of reds generally) would have very much enjoyed.
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5/21/2015 - jkvedar wrote: 91 Points
After 30 minutes of air: Lots of vanilla and spice on the nose. Blueberry and blackberry in the palate. Smooth finish. Well structured.
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4/8/2015 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Inky; sweet mixed clean darker fruit with floral and earth notes; would also have guessed syrah as the fruit is sweeter and the earth/tannin is more modest than most PS; very easy to drink, even with Asian fusion food
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3/26/2015 - Bricks wrote: 91 Points
First out of a case for me and only 1 day off the truck. Incredibly inky/dark with cork almost stained black. Dark fruit dominates without much spice coming through for me. Appeared to be drinking well -- very pleasing and representative of that district in napa
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2/14/2015 - Rezy13 wrote:
New World Blind Tasting Group $25+ (Bin 75): Opaque, very dark core with bright magenta rim; sweet dark fruit, floral, a bit reductive, meat, salami; very floral on the palate, plush texture but heavier weight, pencil lead, cedar, dark fruit, juicy fruit but seemingly a lower acid varietal; thought this was more Syrah-like; good, one of the better ones today.
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12/31/2014 - amilby wrote: 91 Points
Oakley smell
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12/5/2014 - farinas Likes this wine: 92 Points
I got to enjoy this wine again. Just like the first time a year ago, this has very bold yet pure wild fruit expression with some leather in the backdrop. It's a tannic beast but the fruit is very present and quite enjoyable. Highly recommend it.
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11/22/2014 - wabi47 Likes this wine: 91 Points
black in color; big brooding mixed dark berry with earth, some sweetness and integrated tannins; enough acidity to carry it off. On day 2, hasn't lost a step, as more clean earth competes with the slightly sweet fruit
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9/21/2014 - wabi47 wrote: 89 Points
reticent nose; good dark berry and earth; less sweetness and thus more savory than i recall; balanced and built to last. Worked with the cheeses and pizza.
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5/17/2014 - brigcampbell wrote:
I was caught a bit off guard by how approachable this wine is at a fairly young age. Typical dark color, and little to no heat. Strong blue fruit, round tannins, long fruity finish, good balance. Good depth.
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5/12/2014 - TashNYC wrote: 91 Points
At Salt Creek Grille, Princeton, with Jen and Sue R. (The night before delivering Ursula via C-Section): Just had a bit but this was a delicious wine! Very tasty and a good pairing with XX. Perhaps a new family tradition.
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4/26/2014 - JG13 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A really good P.S. Full bodied. Chocolate and dark fruit. Perfect with our steak.
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4/13/2014 - ddahl Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very bold. Drinks more like a cab. Needs time to decant or age.
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4/12/2014 - tkenderson wrote:
Very nice syrah. Good aroma.
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3/1/2014 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Vinturi fast decant
Deep, dark, royal purple rim, with some petulance on the pour
Full bodied, high alcohol, lots of dark fruit leather, hints of vanilla+oak
Massive fruit explosion. Blackberry, plums with lots of smoke
Dry, with some tannins
Fond memories of this wine. Four Seasons Seattle many years ago.
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3/1/2014 - tooch wrote:
Even a very well made Petite Sirah just doesn't hit my taste buds in a good way. Where people thought this was strong and powerful, I thought it was clunky and overly alcoholic.
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2/27/2014 - Mostholy wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for an hour. Bell pepper and a deep cherry topped with a hint of mint. Minor earth tones in the mix as well.
Legs that don't quit, they have arches! Sweetened apricot and berries with a twist of mint and anise. Very tasty
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2/22/2014 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decant time of about 2 hours, this is as dark a colored wine as you will find, almost black in appearance. Bouquet is slightly fruity and has a distinct mint odor with a touch of pepper. Very long, slow legs. The flavor is dense and structured with some heat to it, a boysenberry tang is what initially hits along with the tannins, the finish is on the longer side and for me the best part, 30 seconds later it is still tingling your tongue.
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2/19/2014 - GTFreek wrote:
Dark purple color, little to no rim variation. Nose shows blue fruit, chocolate, zesty blackberry. Lots of structure here, a teeth stainer for sure. Fruit layers change throughout. This should age for a while.
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1/31/2014 - StageOneRacing Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nicely balanced and more strutted than the previous vintage I've had (2008). This is drinking well now, but should age nicely for a few years.
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1/23/2014 - kenv Likes this wine: 94 Points
WCC Petite Sirah Blind (Provence Restaurant, Albany, NY): [Contributed by the general manager of the restaurant, Jamie Beale] Gorgeous nose of intense black fruit and bacon. Extracted, young, tannic, ripe, harmonious and balanced. A terrific young wine. Group #2. One of my favorites.
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1/20/2014 - Dena Carla & Rachel Giada Likes this wine: 91 Points
After opening this bottle we waited with anticipation we might add for 10 minutes. We really this Petite Sirah on the front it had nice aromas of red fruit and subtle spices. on the taste it was easy to pick up raspberries and a hint of blueberries perhaps. Nice easy tannins. At the finish we noted a spiciness or perhaps peppery finish. We have 4 bottles and will hold off over the next 4 years to see how this one mellows.
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12/20/2013 - noahbw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Gave a few hours of air in the decanter. Nose full of spicy meats and foresty bark, berries and wild flowers. On the palate comes bitter chocolate and tart fruits, layered with strong tannin. Might let bottle number two sit for a long long while. Finishes a touch hot, yet very round and supple at the same time. PJG: 91
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11/28/2013 - farinas Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bold dark red with macerated dark fruit tannins and a medium finish with cherry liqueur and wild fruit. Solid and not quite anything else.
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10/30/2013 - keskenazi Likes this wine: 92 Points
rich, round black fruits, nice structure and balance
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