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Terra Valentine
Exquisite Wines • Exclusive Prices • Extraordinary Causes
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA
Terra Valentine
2016 Petite Sirah
Spring Mountain District
Napa Valley, CA
"To capture the vineyard, the appellation and the passion of the people involved. When guests taste the wine and learn a bit about it, I want all of that to shine through. I want people to fall in love with Spring Mountain and with our Terra Valentine wines." -Winemaker Sam Baxter
Purchase a case of this beautiful bold Petite Sirah and during your next visit to Napa Valley enjoy a rare oppoturinity to meet Sam Baxter and tour Spring Summit Ranch, the future home of Terra Valentine Winery and Vineyards.
Terra Valentine 2016 Petite Sirah, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
This is a powerhouse of a wine beautifully crafted at the hands of the talented Sam Baxter. I recommend decanting for at least an hour and up to four hours if possible.
The wine is striking at first glance with its intense opacity and ever-so-slight rim of purple hue. It is inky purple, almost black, in the center.
The nose shows blackberry cobbler, plum, dried herbs, cassis, red licorice, and a hint of vanilla bean (from the barrel aging).
The palate is a showstopper for those who like bold wines, with layers of in-your-face black fruits, lavender, dried thyme, cocoa notes, coffee bean and a little black pepper. The acidity is medium but the tannins are gripping, softened only by decanting or aging.
Side note: All that delicious color translates to extra antioxidants so I say don’t feel TOO badly about having an extra glass! Enjoy.
Tasting Notes by Denise Cody, Chief Operating Angel
Grape:
100% Petite Sirah
Production:
70 cases
Region:
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, CA
Ageability:
Decant if drinking now. Hand-crafted to age 10 years and beyond.
Alcohol:
14.9%
Winemaker and Proprietor
Sam Baxter
About The Winemaker:
Having spent the better part of his youth among the grape vines of Terra Valentine, Winemaker Sam Baxter represents the next generation of Napa Valley winemakers. His father Phil made a legendary mark in the late '60s when the Napa Valley first experienced international notoriety as a respected winegrowing region. After receiving his degree from University of California, Davis, he interned at Sterling Vineyards and stints in Australia. In 1999, Sam began working at Terra Valentine, and took over his father’s legacy as Winemaker and General Manager in 2002 – the year he also released his first vintage. Sam's winemaking approach is best described as Old World meets New–a subtle blend of "go-with-the-gut" instincts paired with equal parts science and art.
The Vineyard:
Bales Creek Vineyard - Only 3 barrels of the the 2016 Petite Sirah were produced. 2015 was the first year Terra Valentine made a Petite Sirah but Sam has coveted the fruit from the head-trained vines at Bales Creek Vineyard for years. Dennis Fife, a good friend of Sam’s dad, planted the vineyard in the 70’s. Sam has enjoyed many legendary bottles from the property over the years, and is thrilled to finally lay hands on some of the fruit.
Additional Winemaker Notes:
- Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 66% new
- A nearly perfect growing season, rated 97pts (Wine Spectator)
