Robert Biale Vineyards
Thomann Station Petite Sirah
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
2006 | Petite Sirah
Robert Biale Vineyards; Thomann Station
Napa Valley; Saint Helena, CA, USA
Final bottle from a mixed case acquired as a part of a Biale wine club shipment in March 2007, ~$46. Incredible deep purple color, sandy+fine sediment. I'm of the opinion that CA Petite Sirah is very similar to Pommard in one aspect, age-ability; these wines seem to live forever and are almost always too young every time. Remembering back to a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars PS (1978) from a while back, proved the longevity of the varietal. I recall a recent post of a Delectable (Conrad Green) cohort with a 1933 Gaunoux Pommard, and he felt it was finally ready... Will this bottle live that long? Unlikely but I'll never be above the ground long enough to find out. Black cherry syrup, blackberry compote, cedar box, blackberry tart, raspberry/cherry jam, fading finish, yet lovely. Hold or drink, likely 2024-30, in proper storage. 2H decant, continuing to unfold. (92-93pts)
2006 | Petite Sirah
Robert Biale Vineyards; Thomann Station
Napa Valley; Saint Helena, CA, USA
Final bottle from a mixed case acquired as a part of a Biale wine club shipment in March 2007, ~$46. Incredible deep purple color, sandy+fine sediment. I'm of the opinion that CA Petite Sirah is very similar to Pommard in one aspect, age-ability; these wines seem to live forever and are almost always too young every time. Remembering back to a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars PS (1978) from a while back, proved the longevity of the varietal. I recall a recent post of a Delectable (Conrad Green) cohort with a 1933 Gaunoux Pommard, and he felt it was finally ready... Will this bottle live that long? Unlikely but I'll never be above the ground long enough to find out. Black cherry syrup, blackberry compote, cedar box, blackberry tart, raspberry/cherry jam, fading finish, yet lovely. Hold or drink, likely 2024-30, in proper storage. 2H decant, continuing to unfold. (92-93pts)
Blueberry juice from a heavily charred oak barrel, wet leather...seemingly lacking concentration this evening. Decanted for about 3 hours, not sure if that was too much, or not enough. Notes may be updated.
Day 2 Notes: We have arrived! Beautiful raspberry-blueberry jam with a light cinnamon/baking spice note, possibly a contribution from the barrels. Yum! (Upping from 9.2 to 9.3 after this very extended, and rewarding, decant.)
Blueberry juice from a heavily charred oak barrel, wet leather...seemingly lacking concentration this evening. Decanted for about 3 hours, not sure if that was too much, or not enough. Notes may be updated.
Day 2 Notes: We have arrived! Beautiful raspberry-blueberry jam with a light cinnamon/baking spice note, possibly a contribution from the barrels. Yum! (Upping from 9.2 to 9.3 after this very extended, and rewarding, decant.)
Ripe and jammy, but a pleasant cocktail wine. Probably a bit past peak so time to drink up.
Ripe and jammy, but a pleasant cocktail wine. Probably a bit past peak so time to drink up.
Aug 13th, 2017
Bright red and black fruit on the nose. Cherry cola, leather, tobacco on the palate. So nice.
Balanced, long finish, solid tannins. I like everything I had from here today, but this was special. They decanted it just before pouring, and I'd say that's the call.
Bright red and black fruit on the nose. Cherry cola, leather, tobacco on the palate. So nice.
Balanced, long finish, solid tannins. I like everything I had from here today, but this was special. They decanted it just before pouring, and I'd say that's the call.
2012 Thomann Station is marvelous! Ran through Vinturi and let decant for about an hour. Deep inky purple, muddled blackberry and blueberry fruits with a touch of cedar wood and hint of mint. Delicious wine!
2012 Thomann Station is marvelous! Ran through Vinturi and let decant for about an hour. Deep inky purple, muddled blackberry and blueberry fruits with a touch of cedar wood and hint of mint. Delicious wine!
Apr 18th, 2016
All co-fermented fruit. Seamlessness and mouth coating finish. Slightly shy, a little young?
All co-fermented fruit. Seamlessness and mouth coating finish. Slightly shy, a little young?
Aug 12th, 2015
Classic Biale! An iron fist wrapped around a velvet glove
Classic Biale! An iron fist wrapped around a velvet glove
Feb 14th, 2014