Mission Codename Sulliverdot
Believe in unicorns!
Last year we brought you Sullivan’s Merlot and Cabernet. Today we complete the trifecta with their ultra-rich and powerful, pure Rutherford Petit Verdot. Beaujolais fans turn away, cuz this flexes some serious “which way to da beach” biceps and brawn.
The wine is big, no doubt, with an equally herculean, some might even say BROBDINGNAGIAN discount. A whopping 70% off the $130 winery price, down to $39 per bottle, practically giving it away.
Sullivan has been around for decades, with a rich history of making some outstanding wines, and they’re surrounded by some elite company - Caymus, Staglin, Quintessa, and Scarecrow to name a few neighbors. One taste of a sample a few weeks back and we unanimously agreed this needed a spot in our jam-packed calendar.
We aren’t the only ones hyped on Sullivan - a recent Forbes article declared that “by any measure, the wines of this under-rated and relatively unknown Napa winery are world-class…”
After all, this winery is where Agent Noir’s one way to CA adventure started many, many moons ago! Following a rough journey across the country, and a weeklong interview, he stole the family’s heart and arrived in the Napa Valley with his bride, their cat, and everything they owned packed in a faux woodie wagon. Hanging out with the late Jim Sullivan, he soon realized how special this little place in the heart of Rutherford, and its wines were.
A beast of a wine, for sure. Described as “a mouthful” on Sullivan’s website, it has a weight and richness that’s unrivaled. But it’s not some overly extracted, head-thumping Ogre either. Nearly black in the glass, it delivers a black plum, black raspberries, freshly laid tar, and savory herbal notes. Easily capable of resting for another ten years, it begs for a healthy decant before consuming.
Let’s put it this way, the 25% of Cabernet in the blend helps SOFTEN things up a bit. Yeah, Cab as a softener, go figure!
This vintage in Napa, as a reminder was off the charts, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate raving that “the best wines from 2015 are singular, totally unique expressions of their vineyards and are absolutely spectacular.”
And Decanter adds “it’s rare to see a single varietal Petit Verdot wine, but this tough, thick-skinned grape known for producing richly concentrated, tannic red wine is not necessarily to be dismissed… some producers have had success with single varietal wines and the grape’s proponents argue that it deserves more than a mere supporting role.”
An utterly astounding $90 off each bottle can only come about from our longstanding connections in the industry. And we’re pumped to pass it on to you… while it lasts at least.
What the Winery Says
2015 Estate Grown Rutherford Petit Verdot
- Winemaker
- Jeff Cole
- Varietals
- 75% Petit Verdot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2015
- Appellation
- Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Sullivan Estate Vineyard
- Alcohol
- 14.8%
- Aging
- 19 months
- Barrels
- 78% new French oak
- Production
- 9 barrels