Mission Codename Little did we know
Ops! Assemble!
Anyone who loves stacked and packed reds, get in here! Hawk and Horse is BACK with another absolute beast. Take two minutes from your NFL Sunday Ticket to snag a few of these, because they never last long.
If you’ve been with us, you know Hawk and Horse.
Mostly for their legendary Estate Cabernet, which remains one of our top sellers of all time. This Petite boasts the same incredible value, with a torrent of ripe fruit, towering structure, and best of all THE PRICE. Sub $30 for this level doesn’t come around often - unless you’re riding with Wine Spies…strap in!
For anyone new, here’s what you need to know.
First, the winemaker, Dr. Richard Peterson. Heard of him? Probably not. But you’ve heard of Screaming Eagle and Heidi Barrett. Get this - before Heidi came on board it was Dr. Peterson who led the first four vintages of Screaming Eagle into cult stardom. Then his daughter - Heidi Barrett took over. That’s not all. Richard also took André Tchelistcheff’s post at Beaulieu Vineyards, helped develop Atlas Peak Vineyards, and he presides over numerous institutions including the American Society for Enology & Viticulture, The Wine Institute, Society of Wine Educators and American Institute for Wine and Food. Oh, and he wrote an award-winning autobiography “The Winemaker”. Wow!
Second, the up-and-coming Red Hills region, named for its red volcanic soils, just north of Napa, in Lake County - just about 10 miles north of Howell Mountain in fact. Here you’ll find some exceedingly high-quality Cabernet without the “Napa tax”. There’s a good reason why visionaries like Fred Schrader, Stéphane Derenoncourt, and Andy Beckstoffer have been quietly investing in land here. This gem comes from a small 18-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® Vineyard perched at 2,200 feet elevation.
A full-frontal assault of jammy blackberry and blueberry comes right down the middle, with sultry baking and exotic wood spices flanking the side. A little pipe tobacco, too, and some anise and dates find their way into the mix. Savory, spicy, ripe and rockin’. The tannins, while round and soft are still pronounced and you’ll need a fatty oxtail or braised short ribs to serve up with this big boy. Does it taste like something much more expensive? YES. Are you still reading this? Why??
Accolades galore - and with an irresistible Wine Spies exclusive 58% discount - how can you say no? And GO PATRIOTS!
94 Points, Platinum – Winemaker Challenge International
92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“Intriguing oak spices add special interest to this full-bodied and firmly tannic wine. Light aromas of wood smoke and white pepper are followed by concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors to yield a big, rounded mouthfeel. Best through 2027.”
Double Gold – SF Chronicle Wine Competition
What the Winery Says
2015 Red Hills Estate Petite Sirah
- Consulting winemaker
- Dr. Richard Peterson
- Varietal
- 100% Petite Sirah
- Vintage
- 2015
- Alcohol
- 13.9%
- Appellation
- Red Hills, Lake County
- Vineyard
- 100% Hawk and Horse Estate
- Soils
- Cortina (gravel), bale loam (sand), Pleasanton loam (clay)
- Harvest dates
- September 11 - 18, 2015
- Yields
- 2 1/2 tons/acre
- pH
- 3.38
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak
- Production
- 7 barrels