by Andrew Chalk
This wine leads with an intense ruby red color in the glass. On the nose there are also intense savory characteristics and notes of rosemary, blackberry, cinnamon, and baking spices. The palate is distinctly green, the pyrazines very much on parade (not unlike a high-end Chilean Cabernet). There are chewy tannins making for a resolute backbone. This wine will keep and likely improve for a decade or more. It has medium acid. The fruit is black cherry and blackberry flavors. The present is much younger than the optimal drinking age. If Napa Cabernets have acquired a sameness in your mind then this wine is the antidote. 'Memorable' would be your descriptor.
Pellet Estate is on the west side of Saint Helena and dates from the work of Henry Pellet in the nineteenth century. Owned by Greg and Robin Krill, winemaker is veteran Tom Rinaldi who trained at the legendary U.C. Davis with some classmates named Tim Mondavi, Mike Martini, Randy Dunn, and Bob Levy. The winery makes three wines at a minuscule scale of only 1,000 cases/year.
Sample