The Ribera retired earlier than expected, but we have an equally monstrous, BIG, bada$$ pick lined up. When you cleared us out of two vintages of Jacob Franklin recently, we went back to Elyse and begged for more. They found just over 50 cases for us, so not a lot to go around. Please leave enough for your fellow operatives!

Bussin’ (def): what you say if something is really good.

Want to impress your kids? Pour a glass of this and proudly announce “This wine is BUSSIN’ yo!”. They’ll look at you with glowing admiration, appreciative of how you’re hip to new lingo.

Bussin’, rockin’, popping off. Or just straight up fan-fing-tastic. That’s how we’d describe this.

Best Petite Sirah we’ve ever had? Very possibly.

Many of you know and love Elyse. The boutique family-run winery has been a best-kept secret in Napa for a long time. It’s named after their daughter. But they also have a son. And to be fair, they helped him launch a small winery project named Jacob Franklin. Originally it was under the Elyse umbrella, up until the recent sale of the Elyse brand and now the family selected it to continue the legacy.

We tasted 3 Petites from Jacob Franklin recently. All three crushed it and it was honestly hard to choose. But this Hayne Vineyard designation had the slightest edge, thanks to a few extra years in the bottle which softened those notoriously big brawny tannins into soft, sensitive, soothing little things. There’s a good reason Turley found promise in Hayne Vineyard. The same reason why most of the highest-rated Petite Sirahs are from there too. Planted in the early 1900s, the head-trained, organic, dry-farmed vines produce some of the most coveted, and powerful Petite Sirah in the world.

Tasted blind you might pin this down as an ultra-high-end Napa Cabernet on steroids. Deep black in the glass, it has all kinds of expansive, layered fruit, massive structure, and deep complexity. Chewy and full-bodied with chocolate-dipped blackberries, blueberry jam, black mission fig, old leather, and a healthy dose of exotic spices wrapped together in a robe of perfectly integrated (and expensive tasting) French Oak. The ever-changing flavors parade through a long finish. And with a delightful bit of age, this stuff is primed for enjoyment now or anytime in the next decade, possibly longer. PS (pun intended): Rock this with some prime NY strip and you’ll be in heaven.

Below is the only review we could find along with our massive two thumbs up, though previous vintages expectedly scored big too, such as Antonio Galloni raving of a “fleshy, harmonious wine, there is a lot to like, I imagine the Hayne will enjoy a long and broad drinking window… a fabulous showing.”

This is the kind of wine even the most jaded cult Cab drinker will love. Massive crowd-pleasing potential. Originally at $75 but $25 today??! Cram as much as you can into your lockers but do it quickly.

Will not last!

92 Points – Tastings.com

“Black-violet color. Spicy aromas and flavors of cinnamon, licorice, salumi, saffron, and rose petal with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity full body and a peppery, epic, very long finish that presents notes of pomegranate, chocolate, fig vinaigrette, cumin, and pepper with moderate oak flavor. A one-of-a-kind Napa Valley Petite Sirah with distinctive spice flavors that will become the centerpiece of the meal.”