Martinez

9.1

A minor ingredient in Bordeaux blends, Petit Verdot is one of those grape varieties that enjoy greater popularity away from home. Notoriously late-ripening, grapes can have difficulties undergoing veraison in Bordeaux, especially in cold years, remaining unusable green berries (hence its name, “little green”). While Petit Verdot often fails to ripen in Bordeaux, it seems to flourish in warmer regions, such as some parts of Australia, California and Spain, where its long-cycle offers winemakers a hedge against global warming. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the region of Ronda in southern Spain has turned out to be an ideal location for Petit Verdot - which even here, doesn’t get picked until late October or early November.

Cortijo Los Aguilares’ Tadeo is one of Ronda and Spain’s most recognized Petit Verdot bottlings. Sourced from the estate’s El Calero plot at 900m (nearly 3,000 ft) elevation in Ronda, in the province of Málaga. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak for 15 months. Dark ruby color with purple rim. Fragrant, very attractive, complex nose with layers of black fruit (bramble), smoke and graphite, herbal notes, sweet spices, vanilla and violets. Full-bodied, structured, powerful tannins. Impressive. — 8 days ago

LM Segal

9.3

Needed an hour+ to sort out but this was rich and velvety smooth Tuscan cab+merlot, dark red fruit, pencil lead, lavender. Iodine that I usually associate with Sangiovese and a touch of menthol. Still fresh, lively on the back end. Impressive. — 9 days ago

Jack Maloney

8.9

Not very acidic
Light mouthfeel
Low tannin
Heavy aftertaste
Smell is peppery and leather
Heavy fruit — 13 days ago

Ron from VA

9.2

Yummmm, the poetic potential of PV is on display here. Solid build by Shaps team of a really special estate program near Fieldale-Collinsville. Classic and varietally correct! Not heavy-handed, rather more feminine in the same way CF can have a softer side. — 4 days ago

Eric

9.5

An outstanding and interesting Carmenere from Chile. Great nose and supple mouthfeel. Think left bank with less acidity. Really gorgeous. This could easily rest for 10+ years. Love it. — 10 days ago

Rick Van sant

9.2

Wow, spot on for my taste, complex, slightly dry, amazing complexity i the finish — 9 days ago

Martinez

9.2

The estate’s flagship wine, Samsara is 100% Petit Verdot from Ronda in southern Spain, a region that is gaining certain notoriety for its Petit Verdot. A late ripening grape variety, Petit Verdot is a minor ingredient in Bordeaux blends where it often fails to ripen properly. But it seems to thrive in warmer regions like Australia, certain parts of California and here in Ronda, where it was first introduced in the early 1990s. Grapes are sourced from El Juncal vineyard, a very cool site at about 2,800 ft elevation, on clay-sandy soils. Fermented with indigenous yeasts (50% whole-cluster) and aged in French and Hungarian oak for 9 months. Dense, dark ruby color. Dark fruit on the nose and palate. Herbal and balsamic notes and a whiff of cinnamon. Complex, structured, very smooth tannins. — 23 days ago

Marcia Costa De Sant Anna

9.0

Um vinho de cor vermelho-rubi, brilhante , com intensos aromas de framboesa, cerejas, especiarias, banana e violetas. No paladar, os característicos taninos da variedade, mas ao mesmo tempo macio e aveludado. Intenso, encorpado, multi-frutado e muito equilibrado — 16 days ago

Peggy Hadley

9.8

Great nose. Tobacco and minerals. Dark fruits. Black raspberry, black cherry. Wonderful finish. — 7 days ago

with Jim

Mike R

9.6

En mag - what a stunner - 78% Cab - 11% CF - 6% Merlot and the rest PV - celebrating my lovely wife’s birthday - picked some nice wines to celebrate- this wine from Pritchard Hill made by Mondavi continues unabated - This is a beautiful vintage with a dense bluish/purple color and a beautiful nose of blueberries, violets, a touch of licorice, truffle and background oak - full-bodied with incredible sweet and well-integrated tannins - loads of forest floor cedar and spices - complex, Bordeaux-styled that is amazing approachable and sassy - big bold and ostentatious - this will cellar for decades but why as this is a stellar wine now - this is my 1700th wine — 3 days ago