WTN: Abbey Road

[David M. Bueker]

• 1971 Freemark Abbey Petite Sirah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (4/7/2022)
  Served blind, and decanted prior to the tasting, this was on fire from the get go. Leather, spice, dark red fruit (yes, fruit!), herbs, earth, it was all there and more. Nothing remotely “old” about this wine, except that the structure had largely melted, leaving a smooth, but incredibly complex aromatic and palate presence. Fascinating wine from the first sip to the last two hours later. Magic!

In general I'm not a PS fan., but have really enjoyed some Ridge York Creeks from the 70s, as well as a bottle of Fetzer (!?!!?) from same period. Maybe just needs 40+ years?

[David M. Bueker]

I like PS, but agree it needs years to show its best. We also had a 1974 Ridge York Creek PS, but it was sadly somewhat corked.

wasn't Freemark's PS from York Creek in those days?

[David M. Bueker]

wasn't Freemark's PS from York Creek in those days?

Apparently yes, but not listed on the label.

I am trying to decide when to open my Turley PS (1997). Hopefully before I am to old to enjoy them.....

There is only one winery in BC growing and making PS in an experimental fashion - 25 cases a year. I always buy some as a long term experiment. The oldest is now only 6 years old, but when opened recently was starting to show some nice development.

Understandable that there is only one grower working with this as it requires a number of degree days that we only find here with small specially selected areas.

[David M. Bueker]

Those older Turleys shed fruit and the show a lot of alcohol. I would check one.

Current Turley wines have better balance.