2010 Quixote Petite Sirah

Quixote’s 2010 Petite Syrah Stags' Leap Ranch is absolutely gorgeous. Plums, wild cherries, olives, grilled herbs, scorched earth, licorice and new leather seem to jump from the glass. A powerful, rich wine, the 2010 impresses for its overall balance, and, more importantly, its sheer deliciousness. The 2010 is relatively polished and subtle for young Petite, especially in its tannins, although hints of wildness peek through on the finish. At the same time, the regular Petite has a little more energy and tension to it than the decidedly opulent Helmet of Mambrino tasted alongside it. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Winemaker Aaron Pott has turned out two superb 2010 Petite Syrahs for Quixote. I imagine most people associate Stags’ Leap with top-flight Cabernet Sauvignon, but this is one of the handful of enclaves in Napa Valley where Petite Syrah can be just as compelling. Proprietor Carl Doumani essentially carved out what is Quixote today when he sold Stags’ Leap Winery to Beringer in the late 1990s. Quixote is an eccentric operation, with a winery designed by famed Viennese architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser and equally colorful bottles. The wines are fabulous. www.quixotewinery.com