(these vines were picked from April 25 to May 3): Bright ruby-red. Black cherry, black raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice on the nose. Suave, smooth and ripe in the mouth, showing subtle peppery lift and inner-mouth energy to the sweet dark berry, floral and licorice flavors. Balanced from the start but possesses the stuffing and structure to evolve gracefully; this wine will rely as much on its harmonious ripe acidity as on its fine-grained tannins for longevity. Finishes subtly sweet and long. Very classy Petit Verdot from Argentina.

The 2013 Petit Verdot Mini Ediciones Ermolinos, which comes all from the Remolinos Vineyard, spent 16 months in 50% new French oak. It offers plenty of baked plum, violets, melted road tar, and charcoal notes as well as a plump, full-bodied, textured style on the palate. It lacks elegance, yet certainly hits you with plenty of fruit and texture. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.

I hadn't tasted the Petit Verdot before and somehow the expectations for the 2013 Petit Verdot Remolinos Vineyard were quite high, but the burnt character in the nose, that something earthy and the somehow raw palate were a bit of a let down. I've often thought Petit Verdot is not an easy grape to make a varietal wine... Maybe with more bottle aging? 12,400 bottles produced.