Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Never disappointing, and usually one of the finest Petite Syrahs made in California, the 2006 Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard once again hits on all cylinders. A blockbuster Petite Sirah, inky purple in color with a glorious nose of charcoal, black raspberry, blueberry, creme de cassis, licorice, and crushed rocks, it is very full-bodied, powerful, with sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a 45+-second finish. This is an infantile wine that will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and last 25-30+ years. (RP)

(12/2007)

Vinous

Deep ruby to the rim. Very fresh aromas of medicinal blackberry, game and flowers, complicated by iron and a spicy high note. Then pliant and light on its feet, offering superb definition and lift to the flavors of dark berries, lavender and orange zest. Very sexy wine, with enough mid-palate stuffing to support its substantial youthfully tight tannins. The highest in acidity (7 grams) and lowest in pH (3.41) of the last dozen or so vintages, but then these wines normally fall in a rather narrow range. Should reward several more years of cellaring. (ST) 93+

(05/2015)

Wine & Spirits

No one in California in recent years has been puzzling over the mysteries of Petite Sirah more than Tegan Passalacqua, who has been making wine with Turley Wine Cellars since 2003. While the winery is renowned for its Zins, Petite Sirah at Turley is treated with similar attention and respect—they make five, more than any other winery in the state....A well-farmed vineyard site, or a balanced vineyard of older vines, will contribute significantly to the inherent character of the fruit. Passalacqua has access to some of the most heralded sites in the Napa Valley, of which two vineyards—Hayne and Library—are practically legendary. (PC)

Wine Spectator

Fragrant, with violet, pretty plum jam, cassis and high-toned red fruit and wild berry flavors that have an air of sophistication with their medium body and smooth finish. (MW)

(07/2009)