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Girard Vineyard has been producing in Napa Valley for greater than 40 years, specializing in the massive reds iconic to this space. Whereas the vineyard is lengthy on custom, it additionally has an experimental edge. It’s zinfandel and petite sirah wines are intriguingly aged in fusion barrels made by integrating 1/3 every of Hungarian, French and American oak.
We not too long ago acquired 4 wines, all from the 2018 classic, to strive. Let’s dig in.
2018 Girard Petite Sirah Napa Valley – 90% petite sirah, 10% zinfandel. A dense, extracted wine, this bottling pours on the inky, brooding fruit, displaying on the palate as nearly tarry at occasions. Notes of raisin, nearly pruny, give solution to darkish chocolate on the thick, heavy, and unctuous midpalate. This wine may simply profit from some acidity to brighten up what generally is a gummy, weighty physique, its cherry-laced end displaying extra as lowered preserves than recent fruit. That, nevertheless, is usually the way it goes with petite sirah. B / $30
2018 Girard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – Surprisingly lovely, this cabernet pours on the density with notes of extracted currant, plum, and black cherry notes, with notes of darkish chocolate constructing because the palate develops. The wine takes on an nearly traditional cabernet profile, its tannins constructing to a crescendo of clove and a little bit of smoky tar — giving the end a considerably robust edge that’s harking back to burnt finish barbecue. This wine could quiet down with some cellar time, however I doubt by a lot. B+ / $40
2018 Girard Artistry Napa Valley – A mix of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, 9% malbec, 6% cabernet franc, and three% petit verdot, this wine is produced alongside the cabernet bottling. Fantastically balanced, this can be a attractive wine from begin to end. Daring fruit notes of plum, currant, and cherry all come along with layers of vanilla, milk chocolate, and baking spice. Lingering blackberry jam notes sweeten up the end. The DNA of the cab is certainly current on this wine, however it’s way more accessible at present. 10 years from now, I determine issues will probably be reversed. A / $60
2018 Girard Previous Vine Zinfandel Napa Valley – Surprisingly light-bodied, this zin comes throughout with notes of black cherry and a few raspberry, although its fruity exuberance wanes shortly, as harder tannin, tea leaf, and a lingering cassis observe come extra into focus. It’s not a very satisfying, lip-smacking expression of zinfandel, however it’s additionally fairly innocent and inoffensive. B / $25
2018 Girard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
$40
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