91 Points - Wine Spectator
A delicious blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Carignane that builds rich flavor and texture making it a perfect companion for grilled meats and savory meals.
VARIETALS
The Comet is a blend of three varietals that complement each other beautifully: Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah. Together, they make a rich, complex, full-bodied wine with a tremendous depth of flavor. The Petite Sirah comes from the Todd Brothers Ranch, a steep, red-rock vineyard in the Alexander Valley, where the vines struggle to produce a small quantity of grapes resulting in great intensity and structure. The old-vine Carignane comes from 130+ year old vines from the historic Evangelho Vineyard in Contra Costa. Finally, the Zinfandel comes from 100 year old vines, the Louvau Family Vineyard, one of their favorites in the Dry Creek Valley.
WINEMAKING
The ripening weather before harvest was relatively moderate, resulting in very balanced and fruit-forward flavors in the grapes. The vineyards produced relatively small yields, resulting in dark, highly flavored wines. Varietals were fermented separately, using the native yeasts, and aged the wine for 14 months in French oak barrels. At blending, 25% of Petite Sirah was used to maximize richness and added 7% of Carignane as a "spice rack" wine for bright fruit and complexity. The resulting wine absolutely shines with its rich texture and depth of flavor.
Vintage: 2019
Varietals: 68% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Time in oak: 14 months in French and Hungarian oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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