2003 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:	17.1%
Comments:	Like a deep dark secret, this is a mesmerizing wine from the almost midnight black color to the aromatics of blackberry concentrate, wrapped in a caramelized vanilla bean. Although powerful and a bit broad shouldered, it still shows enough finesse that with a few hours of decanting, one could only be astonished by this wine.
Reviews:	James Laube, Wine Spectator: 92 pts Beautifully crafted, rich and spicy, with exotic wild berry, hazelnut, plum and black cherry, this wine offers lots of finesse and polish, ending with a long, integrated finish that keeps repeating the delightful flavor themes. Best from 2006 through 2012.
	Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate: 92+ points Readers should not be misled by the label which lists a modest 17% alcohol, because it does not taste or smell hot. The color is a saturated blue/purple, and the wine is almost painfully concentrated and intense, but very pure. Despite what I am sure will be protestations from the alcoholphobes, it is remarkably well balanced. Although I would not go so far as to call it "vivacious", it is a heavyweight example of Petite Sirah at its biggest and richest. It undoubtedly has 20-30 years of aging potential.
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