Darms Lane Wine of Napa Releases 2009 Petit Verdot

Napa, Calif., March 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Darms Lane Wine, a family winery located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley specializing in an estate grown, ultra-small production Cabernet Sauvignon, today announced the release of its 2009 Petit Verdot. The release marks the second bottling of Petit Verdot sourced entirely from the Darms Lane estate specifically the Bon Passe Vineyard.

"The family at Darms Lane is excited to offer another complex and powerful Petit Verdot," said Tricia Bump Davis, General Manager of Darms Lane Wine. "The 2007 growing year marked our first bottling of 100% Petit Verdot, and my father told me in no uncertain terms that if it didn't sell, I would have to drink it all. Sadly, it sold out! We're fortunate to have an excellent location for growing this grape and have found that harvesting at the right time can enhance the development of beautiful characteristics including a complex aroma and a flavor profile with hints of violet, truffle and dark berries. Our 2009 Petit Verdot is no exception, and we expect this wine won't last long."

As Darms Lane is primarily a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, the estate's Petit Verdot is grown mostly as a blending grape. However, both the hillside location and harvesting practices of the vineyard have led to two years in which the Petit Verdot has been deemed worthy of standalone bottling.

Winemaker Brian Mox led production of the 2009 Petit Verdot, which was barrel aged for 20 months. Of the four barrels fermented and aged for the year, three were blended into Cabernets and the remaining one was bottled, producing a total of 25 cases. The wine is 97% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Darms Lane Bon Passe Vineyard Petit Verdot reveals notes of ripe and dark berries with hints of truffles. The rich palate features flavors of blueberries, violet, and ground coffee and is finished with some serious tannins. This wine is primed for immediate enjoyment, although aging it for a special occasion will only add to the character.

The 2009 Petit Verdot retails for $55 per bottle or $660 per case. Quantity is limited; orders will be fulfilled on a first come first serve basis.

About Darms Lane Vineyard

Darms Lane is a family owned and operated winery committed to delivering quality wines from the Napa Valley and recently the Russian River Valley. It was established in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley in 1983 as a Chardonnay estate and was known as Crichton Hall Vineyard. The estate was acquired in totality in 2002 and the 14 acres of original Chardonnay vines were replaced by the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. In 2005, the first estate grown Darms Lane Cabernet Sauvignon was produced. Today, Darms Lane produces around 500 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, 400 cases of Chardonnay and 250 cases of Pinot Noir every year.

The vineyard is known for its cabernets created by winemaker Brian Mox (formerly with Lewis Cellars, Etude, and Laird). The 2008 Cabernet received 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, while the 2007 Linda's Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon celebrates of the memory of the matriarch of the family. Each bottle sold results in a $25 donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

The family vineyard is on Darms Lane located in the southwestern bench lands of Napa Valley.  For more information on Darms Lane Vineyard, visit www.darmslanewine.comor follow us on Facebookor Twitter. To inquire about wines, please email info@darmslanewine.com.