Winemaker’s Notes: We make two lovely estate wines at Tres Sabores: Rutherford Zinfandel (limited to 500 cases) and Rutherford Perspective Cabernet Sauvignon (200 cases). Back in 2000, we had a few barrels left over and literally asked ourselves: “So what would happen if we combined everything delicious that we still had in the cellar and added a little vino from our spice box (Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot)?” To which, of course, the answer was: “Why Not?!” Quite naturally, the wine reflects the composition and the spontaneity of the moment. We’ve made it ever since. In fact, now we’ve planted Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot on the property so we’re assured of making it every year.
What we like about the wine
¤ Out-front fruit-filled aromatics: blackberry, boysenberry, black cherry. These characters reflect the Zinfandel element in the wine—especially since the use of ‘previously inspired’ barrels serves to buoy the fruit rather than mask it.
¤ Also—a nice middle mouth feel: there’s substance and texture there. Here’s where the Cabernet comes in. The Petite Syrah also gives an earthiness and robustness (and a dash of pepper, as well, complementing the natural spiciness ofZinfandel).
¤ Something fun that you can’t quite put your finger on: Petit Verdot adds a bit of sparkle—a fresh carbonic note—not to mention its contribution to the deep purplecolor.
