As a Library Selection, this wine is available exclusively to members of Titus Vineyards Wine Club.

Vintage
The 2002 growing season began with normal rainfall, and continued with even weather patterns that allowed for consistent ripening and balanced tannins. Shortly before harvest a record-breaking 18-day heat wave quickly boosted fruit intensity and skin pigment resulting in wines of marked concentration, rich color, and notable extraction.

Vineyard
Rattlesnake Acres, an old, head pruned vineyard northeast of Calistoga with a reputation for concentrated fruit again provided the base of Petite Sirah. Our estate vineyards north of St. Helena provided Petit Verdot and Zinfandel. Noted for its well-drained alluvial soils our family vineyard produces complex wines with defined fruit flavors.

Vinification
Following harvest, the grapes were de-stemmed but not crushed, allowing increased control over tannin extraction by minimizing the possibility of broken skins and split seeds. Following a 48-hour cold soak to extract color and flavor, the grapes were fermented for 10 days, with punch-downs occurring twice daily. The free-run was transferred to two French oak barrels (1 new, 1 one-year-old), where it was aged for 29 months and then bottled without filtering. The Petite Sirah provides a base of spice and rich extract, the Petite Verdot adds structure and concentrated berry fruit, and the Zinfandel adds a note of lush briar.

Wine Profile
Dark and inky with ruby-garnet tones, our fifth vintage of Lot 1 offers multi-faceted aromas of black cherry, candied rhubarb, smoke, baking cocoa, cedar-spice and mineral. Smooth, round mouth-coating tannins and a ripe, full-bodied texture surround complex flavors of blackberry conserve, black raspberry, currant, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Recommended drinking time is one to two years after release, maximum suggested aging is seven years after release.

Detailed Wine Information

Press & Praise

Boutique Wine Cellars (December 2006) “This interesting and wonderful blend of 48% Petit-Verdot, 42% Petite Syrah, and 10% Zinfandel carries a dark inky garnet in the glass, which explodes out of the glass with dried rose, spice box, cranberry, black cracked pepper, and warm oak. On the tongue, the wine is huge with firm tannins, red pepper flakes, dried vanilla, hint of tobacco, and a touch of wonderful acidity (Meyer lemon perhaps). The fantastic tannins and perfect balance really help to show off the warmth and depth of this fantastic wine.”