2009 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Peterson family Vineyard

Wine Spectator Insider September 2012, Rating: 92

Firm and muscular, with dense, rich dark berry, currant and blackberry fruit that’s complex, layered and tannic, yet with a supple edge and a long finish of melted black licorice. Drink now through 2024.—J.L.

2008 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Wine Enthusiast, July 2011, Rating: 94

Put this Cabernet in the cellar for a while. It's dry and very tannic, yet dramatically rich in blackberries, currants, anise biscotti and smoky oak. A complex, classically structured young wine that should develop through 2018. Cellar Selection. - S.H.

2008 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Wine Spectator, November 15, 2011, Rating: 91

An elegant, stylish wine, medium-to full-bodied, with a tight, firm, complex mix of black fruit, black licorice, cedar and floral scents, ending with supple, fine-grained tannins. More refined than this typically is. Best from 2012 through 2021. 1,020 cases made. - J.L.

2009 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard

Wine Spectator, July 11, 2012, Rating: 94

Rich, layered and well-structured, with floral red currant aromas and complex flavors of black cherry, anise and toasty spice that lead to big but ripe tannins. Drink now through 2018. - T.F.

2008 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard

Wine Spectator, November 15, 2011, Rating: 92

Sleek and supple, yet complex and intense, with fleshy black cherry and toasty mocha aromas that lead to flavors of Asian spice and red currant. The tannins are bold but ripe. Drink now through 2016. 620 cases made. - T.F.

Wine Advocate #192, Dec. 2010, Robert Parker; Rating: 90+ Drink: 2012 - 2032

"...is a more long-distance runner that will require some patience from purchasers. A deep plum/ruby/purple color is followed by a tight but promising nose of forest floor, brooding red and black fruits and earth. Careful coaxing is required to help the nuances emerge. Full-bodied, with elevated but sweet tannins, this 2008 is still somewhat monolithic, but is rich and promising. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age and drink over the following two decades."

Wine Advocate #192, Dec. 2010, Robert Parker; Rating: 90 Drink: 2010 - 2018

"One of the finest Merlots made in the Napa Valley is the 2008 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard. Sumptuous aromas of sweet kirsch and blacker fruits along with coffee bean, chocolate and herb scents jump from the glass of this dark plum/ruby/purple-colored effort. This dense, silky textured, round, chewy Merlot can be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years."

Wine Spectator, August 25, 2010, Rating: 94

Rich and flavorful, with tiers of plum, black cherry, mocha, herb, cedar and dill. Full-bodied, focused, pure and well-structured, gaining nuance and substance on the finish, where the flavors sail on and on, ending with black licorice and raspberry touches. Best from 2011 through 2021. - J.L.

Wine Spectator, July 19, 2010, Rating: 93

Luscious, sleek and complex, with floral red currant and Asian spice aromas that lead to layered, concentrated flavors of black cherry, white pepper and sweet cinnamon oak. Drink now through 2016. 1,128 cases made. - T.F.

Wine Advocate #186, Dec. 2009, Robert Parker; Rating: 95+ Drink: 2016 - 2036

The monster 2007 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard is a massively concentrated, huge, tannic wine that needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring and should keep 20 years. It will be another legend for Petite Sirah, but unless you are a patient connoisseur, few people will ever get to see it at its best.

Wine Spectator, August 10, 2009, Rating: 92

Sleekly structured yet builds in intensity. Offers aromas of currant and mocha and rich, layered flavors of black cherry, exotic spice and toasty oak. Drink now through 2014. 948 cases made. - T.F.

Wine Spectator, August 5, 2009, Rating: 93

Wonderful purity of Cabernet fruit, intense and concentrated, with a medley of black currant, clackberry, dark plum, spice and black licorice. Firm and focused, with chewy tannins. The core flavors are deep and persistent, ending with a touch of heat. Best from 2010 through 2017. - J.L.

Wine Enthusiast, June 2009, Rating: 92

Enormously rich and decadent, but supple. Shows a fat, fleshy mouthfeel framing lush flavors of black and red currants, cherry pie filling, mocha and cedar. There's a firm minerality and tannic backbone that provide structural balance. Drink now through 2010.

Wine Advocate #180, Dec. 2008, Robert Parker; Rating: 92 Drink: 2008 - 2023

Beautiful aromas of sweet blackberries, cassis, forest floor, and spring flowers jump from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, moderately tannic wine. Its textured, layered mouthfeel displays no aggressiveness. Drink this beauty over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate #180, Dec. 2008, Robert Parker; Rating: 91+ Drink: 2008 - 2023

The blockbuster 2006 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard boast an inky/blu/purple color as well as copious quantities of blueberry jam intermixed with truffles, incense, and a hint of charred meat. This full- bodied, powerful, rich, unevolved, backward Petite Sirah should be forgotten for 4-5 years, and drunk over the following two decades.

Wine Advocate #174, Dec. 2007, Robert Parker; Rating: 95+ Drink: 2007 - 2027

Not surprisingly, Switchback Ridge has made a bevy of amazing Petite Sirahs, and the 2005 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard possesses off the charts richness as well as a full-bodied style offering notes of espresso, ground pepper, blackberries, camphor, and incense. It is an exotic, full-bodied, enormously concentrated wine to drink over the next two decades.

Wine Advocate #174, Dec. 2007, Robert Parker; Rating: 95 Drink: 2007 - 2022

More backward, but still accessible is the inky/purple-colored 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard. A sensational perfume of melted licorice, black currants, smoked meats, underbrush, and toasty oak are followed by blackberry liqueur-like flavors. This is a powerful, full-throttle, concentrated Cabernet to consume over the next 15+ years.

Wine Advocate #174, Dec. 2007, Robert Parker; Rating: 93 Drink: 2007 - 2015

The 2005 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard will easily convince skeptics that good Merlot can be voluptuous and sexy. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of black cherry jam interwoven with chocolate fudge, espresso, and toasty oak. Succulent and fleshy, it is all that a California Merlot should be. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Advocate #168, Dec. 2006, Robert Parker; Rating: 95 Drink: 2006 - 2026

Nearly off the charts in terms of richness, the 2004 Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard possesses an extraordinary perfume of violets, pepper, blueberries, blackberries, creme de cassis, and graphite. Terrific intensity, huge body, and sweet tannin are found in this profoundly great Petite Sirah. It should age effortlessly for two decades or more.

Wine Advocate #168, Dec. 2006, Robert Parker; Rating: 92 Drink: 2007 - 2022

The classic, opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard exhibits a big nose of forest floor, smoke, licorice, cassis, and fudge. Dense, powerful, and moderately tannic, it may not be as flashy as many 2004s, but it is packed with fruit, glycerin, and power. Give it another year or so of bottle age, and drink it over the following 10-15.

Wine Advocate #168, Dec. 2006, Robert Parker; Rating: 92+ Drink: 2006 - 2016

Unlike the majority of Merlots in the marketplace, Switchback Ridge.s 2004 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard is the real deal. Wonderful scents of chocolate, roasted coffee beans, black cherries, and plums soar from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored offering. Opulent, full-bodied, and chewy with sensational texture and purity, it is a fleshy, succulent Merlot to consume over the next decade.

Wine Advocate #162, Dec. 2005, Robert Parker; Rating: 92 Drink: 2008 - 2015

A wine to put away for at least 2-3 years is the inky purple 2003 Petite Sirah. Aromas of graphite, acacia flowers, blueberries, crushed rocks, and a touch of pepper jump from the glass of this formidably endowed, full-bodied monster. It is deep, rich, but well-balanced and pure. Petite Sirah remains the most underrated varietal in California. It can provide remarkable drinking for over two decades. However, it is not for the faint of heart nor for those looking for immediate gratification.

Wine Advocate #162, Dec. 2005, Robert Parker; Rating: 94 Drink: 2005 - 2020

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and full, but structured, tannic, broad, and savory. Opaque purple to the rim, with a big, smoky, earthy nose of melted licorice, creme de cassis, espresso, and chocolate, the wine is huge, dense, and full-bodied, but beautifully balanced. This is classic New World/Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 12-15+ years.

Wine Advocate #162, Dec. 2005, Robert Parker; Rating: 91 Drink: 2005 - 2013

The 2003 Merlot.s dark plum/purple color is followed by a big, chocolaty, espresso roast nose with blackberry and sweet cherry fruit, tremendous opulence, full body, and not a hard edge to be found. This glorious Merlot begs for consumption over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Advocate #154, Aug. 2004, Robert Parker; Rating: 96 Drink: 2004 - 2019

A spectacular Petite Sirah from Switchback Ridge, this 2002 boasts an impenetrable blue/purple color as well as gorgeous aromas of black fruits, white chocolate, pepper, minerals, and a hint of espresso. Opulent, with beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and wood, this remarkably civilized Petite Sirah is crammed with rich fruit as well as burgeoning complexity. This beauty can be enjoyed for its extravagant fruit, but promises to evolve for 15 or more years.

Wine Advocate #157, Feb. 2005, Robert Parker; Rating: 96 Drink: 2005 - 2020

The extraordinary, inky/purple-colored 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard offers a marvelous perfume of espresso roast intermixed with explosive quantities of blackberries, cassis, licorice, and Chinese black tea aromas. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with awesome opulence, a voluptuous, silky texture, and layers of fruit and concentration. The finish goes on for close to a minute. Drink this beauty over the next 12-15 years.

Wine Advocate #157, Feb. 2005, Robert Parker; Rating: 92 Drink: 2005 - 2013

A beautiful effort is the deep purple-colored 2002 Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard. A big, sweet, chocolate, toffee, caramel, and dried herb-scented bouquet is followed by a round, generous Merlot exhibiting silky tannin as well as a sweet, rich finish. It can be enjoyed over the next 5-8 years.

Wine Advocate #148, Aug. 2003, Robert Parker; Rating: 96 Drink: 2003 - 2023

One of the most extraordinary Petite Sirahs I have ever tasted, this offering, fashioned by Pride Mountain.s winemaker, Bob Foley, boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of lilacs, graphite, creme de cassis, blackberries, and scorched earth. It is viscous, layered, and thick, with a tremendous wealth of fruit and glycerin concealing what must be lofty tannin. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.

Wine Advocate #150, Dec. 2003, Robert Parker; Rating: 98 Drink: 2003 - 2023

The other-worldly 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard is ... to die for! Given its quality, the price is surprisingly realistic, considering how many California North Coast mediocrities fetch three digit prices. This opaque purple-colored Cabernet exhibits wonderfully sweet aromas of melted licorice intermixed with cedar wood, black currant liqueur, chocolate, and spice box. This full- throttle, unctuously-textured, dense, broad, pure, impeccably balanced, expansive 2001 is mouth-coating in its richness and intensity. It can be drunk with great pleasure, or cellared for 15-20 years. Wow!

Wine Advocate #150, Dec. 2003, Robert Parker; Rating: 95 Drink: 2003 - 2018

It is hard to find a better California Merlot than this 2001 Peterson Family Vineyard. A saturated purple color accompanies a gorgeous perfume of espresso roast, Valhrona chocolates, black currants, and a hint of toasty oak. Rich, opulent, and full-bodied, this spectacular Merlot should drink well for 10-15 years.