Vintage Clendenen Family Vineyards Petit Verdot Bien Nacido 2003

Jim Clendenen was famous for producing internationally acclaimed Pinot Noir & Chardonnay in California. Amongst the region’s top producers, the wines he started producing in 1982 set the standard for modern, terroir-driven Californian wine from Burgundian grapes. Wines under the Clendenden Family Vineyards label are not just another label – this was a project of passion for Jim. These are artisan, nuanced wines from small lots producing distinctive wines that have had the luxury to be in the barrel as long as they need it. Long-lived, food-friendly, with firm acidity and moderate alcohol, they are really special parts of Jim’s story that we are honoured to import and represent in the UK.

This wine comes from a vineyard established and expanded by Jim at Bien Nacido Vineyards in 1994 and 2000. Though long thought of as a blending grape of less significance in Bordeaux, Petit Verdot is far and away the most successful of the Bordeaux family grown in the Santa Maria Valley. Jim used a slow and long fermentation in small open tanks. 50% go into new oak barrels wood and is aged for 3 years and bottled unfiltered.

The 2003 vintage is packed full of dried dark berries on the nose, with a touch of dried herbs and dried lavender. In the mouth, it showcases some tertiary notes from its age yet still offers freshness. Just like Bordeaux, wines with the structure to age need time; being 20 years old, this is a very rare release from the estate, perfectly aged.