Saw this PJ capsule starin at me in the cellar and decided to see what it was. Whadya know! another Petit Verdot, so why not! Last night’s was a fresh, vibrant example and I suspect this will turn more towards the expected typicity of the variety. Sure enough, more black impenetrability in the glass, but here we have a nose jammed with Bordeaux funk. Nasal-clogging in thickness, ridiculous heavy spice and layer upon layer of black, concentrated dark berry, with oak a delicious complement the the richness of bouquet. At 8, it’s all smoothing down into mildly-tertiary nuances, and the vitality of the grape shines though.
Gritty and granular on the palate–though respectively and graciously thin. A powerful, masterful wine, dedicated wholeheartedly to fruit while still refelcting the wall of structure predicted. Dusty and engrained with graphite and rusty metallic beauty, a tough mouthful to swallow until the fruit hits, it dwaddles in complexity while obfuscating with massive tannin and ire. This grape does wonderful things bottled alone, and I wish more people did it. In a world full of chubby cabs, sparkling CF’s and gob-stopping Merlots, this thing shines with beauty taking one back to the true vision of Bordeaux varieties in California. Maybe PV is the modern solution to global warming? This is one of the most delicious reds I’ve had this year. Never saw the 15-2 comin. Flat-out gorgeous.
2015 POMAR JUNCTION Petit Verdot San Benito Co. California 15.2
Stephen McConnell 