2006 D-Cubed Cellars Napa Valley Petite Sirah
Mission Codename: Cube Roots
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Respond to Operative requests for a wine from D-Cubed Cellars, in Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley. Evaluate Duane’s Napa Valley Petite Sirah. If the quality meets or exceeds the expectations of our demanding Operatives, secure an ample allocation.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Epiphany Cellars
Wine Subject: 2006 Petite Sirah Napa Valley
Winemaker: Duane Dappen
Backgrounder: Petite Sirah’s California roots dates back to when it was believed to be a close relative of the Syrah grape. Later it would be found to be genetically identical to the Durif, named for its after French discoverer François Durif who found that the varietal was a Syrah grape pollinated with Peloursin flowers. Its smaller berries with higher skin to pulp ratio leads to more intense flavors. Another benefit of the smaller berries are tighter clusters that are more resistant to mildew. Currently Petite Sirah is less popular in France and increasingly popular in the United States
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark and slightly opaque, with purple and ruby hues. After swirling, tight clusters of branching legs start high up on the glass. They move very slowly downward, thinning as they go.
Smell – Bold and perfumed, with lush aromas of blackberry, fresh fig, bramble, black plum, dark chocolate and subtle bacon. As the wine breathes in the glass, dried meats, anise, black pepper and dark strawberry all emerge from the glass.
Feel – Soft and round, at first, the wine takes on weight at the mid and rear palate, where it becomes grippy and textured. Ripe tannins and a balanced acidity add complexity and character.
Taste – This wine leads with big blackberry and dark blueberry. These are followed by dark plum, cedar, subtle dried herbs and cocoa dust.
Finish – Ripe and chewy, with dark fruit that lingers for a long time, eventually yielding to earthy flavors that fade slowly, culminating in black pepper and chalky minerals.
Conclusion – The 2006 D-Cubed Cellars Napa Valley Petite Sirah is an excellent, balanced wine from a producer that we have been chasing for, literally years. Duane Dappen is best known for his Zinfandel but we were intrigued by the buzz that his Petite Sirah has been generating of late. Duane was finally able to cut a handful of cases away for our Operatives, for today’s sale. This Petite Sirah is well balanced, delivering great fruit, without overwhelming the palate, as some big Petites may tend to do. Decant for best results and pair this flexible wine as you would with a great Merlot, which is to say, with nearly anything.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: Duane Dappen
WINE EDUCATION: Studied Enology and UC Davis
CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Worked in Napa Valley for 26 years. Started at Grgich Hills Cellar, was Cellarmaster at Storybook Mountain Vineyards, Assistant Winemaker at Rombauer and Frank Family Vineyards. Winemaker at Frank Family Vineyards. Currently Winemaker and President of D-cubed Cellars and Winemaker at Bravante Vineyards.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Keep it simple. Try to allow the fruit to be at its best with some elegance and balance.
WINEMAKER QUOTE: Who wants the last rib?
FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: (1994 Howell Mountain Zinfandel released February 1996.)
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: Greetings, Duane. We are thrilled to be showing your 2006 Napa Valley Petite Sirah today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.
DUANE DAPPEN: Thanks, Agent Red. Your perseverance has paid off.
RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?
DUANE: Growing up in the Foothills my parents would go wine tasting and then I started working with a friend’s father making home wine in his cave (the cave originally was a Gold Mine)
RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?
DUANE: There was no particular wine or winemaker, but the combination or wines from Grgich Hills Cellars and Storybook Mountain have influenced me.
RED: Who do you make wine for?
DUANE: I make wine that I enjoy drinking and that I hope my friends and customers will like.
RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.
DUANE: The 2006 Napa Valley Petite Sirah is the second vintage of Petite that I have produced. The wine has the classic medium body but a nice tannin structure that is Petite Sirah. There are also some nice blueberry flavors that are framed by sage and tea leaves.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
DUANE: I love this with some slow cooked pork, some nice Spareribs with just a nice rub, not a sweet saucy mess, or some slow cook pork shoulder.
RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valle such a special place for Petite Sirah?
DUANE: The Napa Valley has the consistently warm days and cool nights that get this variety ripe and still maintain some acid to balance the tannins that are inherent in Petite Sirah.
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
DUANE: I just finished bottling the 2009 reds at Bravante Vineyards and am now getting everything in order for crush which should start in a week or so.
RED: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?
WINEMAKER: I like to think that people enjoy my wines with good food and company, whether it is their spouse or significant other having dinner at home together or a group of friends tailgating. Wine is best with good food and company.
RED: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
DUANE: I hope everyone enjoys this wine with great food and friends.
RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!
