2016 Petit Verdot NorthStar Winery

A conscious effort of our Winevalentine.com writeups is signaling best quality wines at affordable prices. Elite, designer wines for collectors fall outside of our main goal, where cost per bottle reach into the thousands.

Uncorking a bottle for today’s enjoyment is different from considering which wine to cellar. The everyday wine consumer needs a reliable standard for selection. Our rating scale fits everyday servings, cellaring wines, as well as good choices for special occasions.

The Petit Verdot grape is often added to red wine blends, where its sassiness tops off those mellow reds. Well, the NorthStar winemaker put the whole darn grape in its stand-alone bottle: 2016 is a limited production. So, buyers get a genuine cork; a dark brown protective claret bottle, which will allow the wine to age in cellaring.

Outstanding. This hardy red wine is a fine companion to a Cab-Franc: enjoyable, delicious. The NorthStar Petite Verdot is a keeper. In tasting, the swirl shows off its deep ruby red color and full legs. The nose lifts up as floral, a soft violet. First taste is of leather, followed by dark cherry fruit. Get set for a surprise finish - - dark fruit, some mineral, and a very smooth.