The Claar Wine Group recently took over this brand from Tri-City friends/growers Dick and Diane Hoch, whose Salmon-Safe Kirsten Rose Vineyard in Kennewick, Wash., was blended here with fruit from Summit View Vineyard (60%) in the Walla Walla Valley. Traditionally, Petit Verdot is a blending grape in Bordeaux, but slowly it is showing up in the Pacific Northwest as stand-alone bottlings such as this expression by winemaker Joe Hudon. Those who embrace brawny varieties such as Petite Sirah will best appreciate the profile of dusty Marionberry, blueberry, vanilla extract and tar. It’s big and sinewy with its tannin structure, yet that brambleberry acidity will play well at the dining table with robust meats.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 109 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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