Mission Codename Saddle up
Ops! Assemble!
Anyone who loves stacked and packed reds, get in here! Hawk and Horse is BACK with another vintage of this inky, dark, beast of a red. 96 points by The Tasting Panel! And 94 by Wine Enthusiast might we add. Simply remarkable value for under $30!
Normally you’ll have an easier time finding blinker fluid at the parts store. But not today! This is the real deal.
Now, if you’ve been with us, you know Hawk and Horse.
Mostly for their legendary Estate Cabernet, which remains one of our TOP SELLING wines of all time. This Petite boasts the same incredible value, with a torrent of ripe fruit, towering structure, and best of all THE PRICE. Sub $30 for this level doesn’t come around often - unless you’re riding with Wine Spies…strap in!
For anyone new, here’s what you need to know.
First, the winemaker, Dr. Richard Peterson. Heard of him? Probably not. But you’ve heard of Screaming Eagle and Heidi Barrett. Get this - before Heidi came on board it was Dr. Peterson who led the first four vintages of Screaming Eagle into cult stardom. Then his daughter - Heidi Barrett took over. That’s not all. Richard also took André Tchelistcheff’s post at Beaulieu Vineyards, helped develop Atlas Peak Vineyards, and he presides over numerous institutions including the American Society for Enology & Viticulture, The Wine Institute, Society of Wine Educators and American Institute for Wine and Food. Oh, and he wrote an award-winning autobiography “The Winemaker”. Wow!
Second, the up-and-coming Red Hills region, named for its red volcanic soils, just north of Napa, in Lake County - just about 10 miles north of Howell Mountain in fact. Here you’ll find some exceedingly high-quality Cabernet without the “Napa tax”. There’s a good reason why visionaries like Fred Schrader, Stéphane Derenoncourt, and Andy Beckstoffer have been quietly investing in land here. This gem comes from a small 18-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® Vineyard perched at 2,200 feet elevation.
A full-frontal assault of jammy blackberry and blueberry comes right down the middle, with sultry baking and exotic wood spices flanking the side. A little pipe tobacco, too, and some anise and dates find their way into the mix. Savory, spicy, ripe and rockin’. The tannins, while round and soft are still pronounced and you’ll need a fatty oxtail or braised short ribs to serve up with this big boy. Does it taste like something much more expensive? YES. Are you still reading this? Why??
Always a huge crowd pleaser - and friendly on the wallet, too. Under $30?? Load me up!
96 Points – The Tasting Panel
“A charge of violets and crushed stone coat the teeth. The structure and beauty of this red is apparent: It’s as silky as a horse’s mane, with subtle sweet tobacco surrounding salty plum and pistachio on the finish.”
94 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“This powerful and focused wine is a no-nonsense expression of the grape variety, showing only light oak accents to the wine’s deep core of blackberries, wood char, black pepper and anise. Fine grained tannins hold the flavors in rather tightly but this wine will reward patience. Best from 2028-2038.”
What the Winery Says
2019 Red Hills Estate Petite Sirah
- Consulting winemaker
- Dr. Richard Peterson
- Varietal
- 100% Petite Sirah
- Vintage
- 2019
- Alcohol
- 14.3%
- Appellation
- Red Hills, Lake County
- Vineyard
- 100% Hawk and Horse Estate
- Soils
- Cortina (gravel), bale loam (sand), Pleasanton loam (clay)
- Harvest dates
- October 1, 2019
- Yields
- 2 1/2 tons/acre
- pH
- 3.59
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak