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. Each varietal adds flavor components and textural elements that create a wine that is a perfect complement to grilled meats or savory sauces—you can use The Comet to accompany foods much the way you would a nicely-aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

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 number of grapes resulting in great intensity and structure. The old-vine Carignane comes from 100+-year-old vines from the historic Oat Valley Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. Finally, the Zinfandel comes from 100-year-old vines on one of most favorite vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley, the Louvau Family Vineyard.

In 2017 our vineyards produced relatively small yields, resulting in dark, highly flavored wines. We fermented each grape varietal separately, using the native yeasts resident on the grape skins, and aged the wine for 14 months in French oak barrels. At blending, we used 25% of Petite Sirah to maximize richness and added 10% of Carignane as a “spice rack” wine for bright fruit and complexity. The resulting wine absolutely shines with its rich texture and depth of flavors.

Color is purple-black, aromas of chocolate, black cherry, blackberry, and black current, followed by elements of toffee, vanilla, black pepper, and coffee. A very structured wine, with a beautiful texture, good acid balance, and firm tannins. The entry is of bright fruit—black cherry, blackberry, and pomegranate—and then a lush texture filled with fruit, cocoa powder, clove, and a spicy finish. The wine has a velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Great weight on the tongue with a slight tannic—almost Cabernet-like—structure.