Hendry Block 15 is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. Morning fog and afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay moderate our southern Napa Valley climate, creating a transitional climate zone between the cooler Carneros region and the warmer northern reaches of the Napa Valley. Both Block 15A and B are planted with CTPS clone 400 of Petit Verdot, on St. George roots. The combined acreage of the blocks is 4.08 acres, totaling 5,122 vines. 15B was planted in 1997, followed by 15A, replanted in 2002 over an old Chardonnay block.
In 2019 budbreak was April 3rd, bloom was May 29th-31st, veraison took place August 10th-15th, and harvest was October 6th through the 11th, with a yield of 4.65 tons/acre. Bloom to harvest was 130 days. This bottling was aged for approximately 15 months in French oak barrels, approximately 55% of which were new.
We occasionally bottle these individual varieties and release them on a limited basis. Single-varietal Hendry Petit Verdot has been released in only a handful of vintages.
Opaque purple-ruby. Really interesting initial aromas of soft oak, pepper and the caramelized sugar and deep berry of a blueberry muffin. Full-bodied (though not quite as lush as the 2018) with pleasing, fine-textured tannins. Flavors of dark berries and cola. Cocoa in the finish. This young wine will open up with age, revealing more fruit and texture on the palate. We might pair with grilled or roasted meats, sharp, smoked or aged cheeses like gruyere or gouda, and other full-flavored foods with moderate richness, especially those with intensely savory/umami flavors like olives, mushrooms or truffles.
Alcohol is 15.1%
TA 6.2
VA .74
Cases produced: 623
