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2002 Frediani Vineyard Petite Syrah
Al Frediani has owned the Frediani Vineyard since, well, a really long time. Somewhere between the Great Depression to the end of World War II, we're just not sure. One thing we do know for sure is this, it makes great Petite Syrah and has a lot of rattlesnakes.
Located just outside of Calistoga, the fruit from this vineyard is a combination of 3 different blocks: Hillside, Creekside, and Corner. The Hillside and Corner being 60-80 years old, and the Creekside being 150 years old. The vineyard is head trained and dry farmed, producing a wine of deep color and concentration. The 2002 vintage is no exception. The color is so dark it literally sticks to the side of the glass.
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| Varietals: |
100% Petite Syrah |
| Appellation: |
Napa Valley |
| Alcohol: |
16.5% |
| Comments: |
This wine was once described by a prominent wine critic as “a petal to the metal Petite Syrah”. The 2002 vintage is no exception. Full-bodied and oozing with Blackberry pie filling in a cinnamon piecrust with hints of cassis and dark chocolate. This opaque purple wine is a truly decadent experience.
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| Reviews: |
Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate: 94+ points
This wine comes from a 60-80-year old block of Petite Syrah planted just outside the warmer end of Napa near Calistoga. The color is an inky/blue/purple, and the nose offers up sumptuous aromas of violets, black fruits, crushed rocks, chocolate, and espresso. Enormously endowed yet remarkably civilized for a wine of such mass, it reveals impeccable winemaking along with tremendous purity as well as depth. This is not for readers looking for lighter-styled reds as it is full-throttle Petite Syrah fury captured in a bottle. It should age well for 15+ years.
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James Laube, Wine Spectator: 92 points
Petite can't get any darker - this is a surprisingly sleek and supple youngster, given its level of tannins and fruit concentration. The wild berry, blackberry and loganberry flavors are ripe, rich and vibrant, ending with the tannic muscle you might expect. Drink now through 2012.
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