Description

Petit Verdot has become a passion for Rudy von Strasser. His first introduction to the varietal was at Chateau Lafite Rothschild, where Rudy worked as an intern in 1985. The Chateau used it as an indicator of vintage quality, since the Bordeaux climate is not usually warm enough to adequately ripen it. After returning to the States, Rudy became assistant winemaker at Newton Vineyards where Rick Forman had planted cuttings of Petit Verdot in the early 1980s, and the resultant wines were spectacular. "Of all the Bordeaux grapes, when ripened completely, Petit Verdot makes the darkest wine, with spectacular fruit and mouthfeel." Since starting von Strasser Winery in 1990, Petit Verdot has been a cornerstone of their von Strasser Reserve bottlings, as well as adding tremendous backbone (up to 15%) to the flagship Estate Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings. For the 2007 Premiere Napa Valley lot, we have produced a Petit Verdot that focuses on the strengths of this single varietal.