An intense dark purple hue is the starting point for this wine. Fresh blackberries and hints of coffee dominate the bouquet. The blackberry theme continues on the palate with notes of cream soda, which gives to a silky mid-palate.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah
AVA: Napa Valley, Calistoga
Vineyards: 100% Madrigal Estate
Cooperage: Aged 22 months in French Oak
Alcohol: 15.36%
pH: 3.69
TA: 6.3 gm/L
Production: 532 cases
2018 Madrigal Petit Verdot, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
This wine shows off a beautiful magenta color. The palate starts off with bright violets and transitions over to a core of red cherries, coffee, and oak.
A brambly Zinfandel with core notes of raspberry and cherry on the bouquet. The palate is bright and dominated by fresh raspberries and hints of sweet cinnamon.
Since the late 1930s, three generations of the Madrigal family have farmed some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. The family history is a constant source of inspiration and guides us in our wine-making now. We value the long relationship we’ve had with the land and the people here, believing that the combined wisdom of the folks who’ve been here for generations and a deep appreciation of these vineyards can be tasted in our wine.
Today, the company is run by Chris Madrigal, the founder’s grandson. Our winemaker is the acclaimed Ed Sbragia, who built his reputation over 30 years of winemaking in the Napa, Sonoma, and Dry Creek Valleys. Ed’s wines have won awards for years, and he’s proud of the reputation he’s earned. “I just do what I love and work with the gifts of the land,” said Ed. “All with a passion and pride passed down through generations at home.”
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
LabradorVermin checking in, Jan 6th 2026…
I know this Winery. It’s less than an hour from some Casemates gotos like Ty Caton and some woot.wine classics like Wellington, and real close to my favorite Winery to tour ever: Sterling Vineyards.
The Look:
Deep, inky purple with an almost black core, framed by vibrant violet at the rim. Well-defined legs climb slowly up the glass, hinting at richness and structure.
The Nose:
Bold and expressive from the start, led by dark fruit with layers of spice and oak woven in. Ripe blackberry and dark plum take center stage, followed by uncracked peppercorn, light subtle anise and cardamom. Gentle notes of vanilla and caramel emerge with air, while a dusty leather character I’m sure on pre-drinking adds sense of depth and complexity. (edit: confirmed after tasting)
The Taste:
Outstanding. Full-bodied, robust, and mouth-coating, with a dark-fruit core that’s both powerful and refined. Savory and spicy elements add a second dimension, keeping the wine engaging from start to finish. The tannins are firm on entry, but with a bit of breathing they become boisterous yet remain silky and well-integrated.
The Finish
Long and lingering, with dark fruit lingering up front before easing into oak influence and a subtle dusty earthiness. Approachable now, but clearly structured enough to benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
The Wrap-Up:
Like its neighbors, this is an excellent, thoughtfully made wine that delivers depth, balance, and complexity. A satisfying bottle that checks all the right boxes.
This is a very good price if the others are as good as the petite sirah.
Wow, in a first for us, this bottle had…wine diamonds!
Pulled the cork and a few little brownish red bits came out of the bottle onto my hand. I quickly summoned charming Leo, who investigated with a magnification loupe and a flashlight. We could see a number of pieces of something clinging to the shoulders and neck of the bottle. I pulled a few out to add to the ones on my fingers and put them on some paper. Tiny purple crystals! A quick net search revealed we had “wine diamonds” which are not supposed to impact the taste or quality of the wine. According to the internets, they are most often the result of temperature changes (cold climate). I’m guessing it’s possible other bottles will also have them. Hmmm! (And cronchy if you taste them.)
(As an aside, when Leo first came into the room, he thought the bottle might be corked, but nope, absolutely not. Cork in fine shape, and none of the off smells/tastes of a corked wine. It’s just wine diamonds.)
Now on to tasting – we did not have this with a meal, but tasted it after dinner with no accompaniments. Room temp. Opened/poured/tasted, then let it sit and tasted again. It’s been 3-4 hours and I’m finishing up a glass now.
Me: Wow, that’s some tannins. Berry/deep red fruits on initial tasting, followed by tannins. The dry finish lingered in my mouth for some minutes after each sip. I would say this wine is drier than I prefer, but it’s not a bad wine. It’s just not something I would choose again. However, I would be perfectly happy serving this to someone who did like dry reds.
Charming Leo’s tasting notes:
Tasted between meals at room temperature after being freshly opened, and after being allowed to stand in the glass for about 20 minutes. There were tartrate crystals in the top of the bottle.
Nose: Tannic. Background of indeterminate sweetness. Tiniest hints of plums, apples. No mineral or wood.
Palate: As someone who tends to gravitate toward bigger, “rounder” Cabs and Zins, I found this more tannic and astringent than I’m used to. Indeed, aside from a slight earthiness, I had trouble picking out any other notes. Very slight burn on the tongue. Long, dry,
astringent finish that, at the very last, decays into a slight
sweetness.
Our verdict: at this price it’s a fine wine for folks who like dry reds. I’ll let the vintner address the wine diamonds/tartrate crystals.
@TrinSF You didn’t identify which wine. I’m guessing it’s the zinfandel, as this is how I tend to describe/feel about them (and, coincidentally, I also had some crystals in a bottle of zin just last week). So, which is it?
My apolologies, folks – we wrote the review before the wine was posted, and it assumes a single offering. by the time I saw the first of these comments, it was already past my bedtime. It’s the 2019 Zinfandel. I still don’t see a way to edit this, so I guess we’re stuck with that.
@trapuh@TrinSF
Weird, I have never thought of Zinfandel as being especially tannic. Maybe masked somewhat by the fruit and/or bramble notes? I will have to look for that now…
CT (not all these specific wines, but) seems to indicate these are probably ~90.5 pts. and built to last. I saw the word “jammy” thrown around, which is a wine win (see what I did there?) for me. TrinSF, the 2nd rat got one that was certainly not jammy…I suspect the Petite Verdot. I’m definitely in for a case. Oh, and one CT comment said “A steal at $20”(PS)…what does that make it at $11.67/bottle?
@FritzCat Based on the sediment alone, my guess would be the 2019 Petite Sirah. That grape is notorious for throwing large amounts of tannin/pigment sediment, especially when lightly filtered and a few years into bottle age. That’s actually a good thing as well. It looks like a lot of sediment, but in this case that’s likely polymerized tannins and pigment falling out with age. In structured reds (especially things like Petite Sirah), that process is actually beneficial to mouthfeel. The harsher tannins leave the wine, and what’s left drinks rounder and more integrated. Visually dramatic, but harmless and often a sign of minimal filtration rather than a flaw.
@FritzCat@user33071884
“Wine diamonds” are actually tartrate crystals that form when a wine that has not been cold stabilized gets exposed to cold temps.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Madrigal Family Winery Mixed Reds - $30 = 17.64%
Wine Access touting the PS:
A deep, concentrated purple at the core. The aromas are led by warm dark plum, cherry, and chocolate brownie, embraced by purple florals and spice. The palate is lush, with chocolate and dark summer berries carried on silky tannins that deliver a long-lasting finish. A dark, bold, luscious red steeped in history. Drink now–2030.
Reverse Wine Snob, the Zin, November '25:
The 2019 Madrigal Napa Valley Zinfandel opens with a harmonious, attractive aroma of black cherry, lots of licorice and mint plus some other baking spices, dried herbs and balsamic. You can tell it has a bit of age on it, which is wonderful.
Taking a sip reveals a smooth, savory and balanced wine with similar with flavors to the nose and lots of secondary notes. Everything seems to have harmonized quite nicely with age and it is VERY easy to drink with lots of layers to discover.
It ends dry, long, savory, and a touch grippy with a bit of lasting spice. By day 2 it was even a bit longer and more savory on the finish. We put this at the high end of our 9 Tasting Rating at 92-93 points. Get it while you can.
It appears the winery is no longer, sold to Jayson Woodbridge (Hundred Acre) in 2024. Label/Brand still belongs to Madrigal. more useless info here
'Tis always a pleasure to get a Golden Ticket, this one for the 2018 Petit Verdot - a variety that I’ve had limited experience with, at least not as the main grape. (Celler Tracker only lists two labels in my history, and I don’t have notes on either.)
The (natural) cork was stained dark across the bottom, but no seepage up the side or any signs of tartrate. On PnP my color blindness limits me to saying it is dark red - fairly opaque - with moderate legs, Floral/violet notes initially in the nose, along with a not unpleasant hint of rubbing alcohol.
A smooth, refreshing taste, with tannins that fell into what I’d call silky or velvety - they wrap around the tongue gently. Dark fruit, a hint of jam (if you looked for it), and a bit of tobacco in the fairly short finish. Went quite nicely with French dipped sandwiches made from leftover prime rib.
Based on the other rattage, this deal looks to be a no-brainer - a field in which I eminently qualify.
2019 Madrigal Estate Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
An intense dark purple hue is the starting point for this wine. Fresh blackberries and hints of coffee dominate the bouquet. The blackberry theme continues on the palate with notes of cream soda, which gives to a silky mid-palate.
Specs
2018 Madrigal Petit Verdot, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2019 Madrigal Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $660/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Jan 29 - Monday, Feb 2
Madrigal Family Winery Mixed Reds
6 bottles for $84.99 $14.17/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2019 Madrigal Estate Petite Sirah
2018 Madrigal Petit Verdot
2019 Madrigal Zinfandel
2019 Madrigal Estate Petite Sirah
LabradorVermin checking in, Jan 6th 2026…
I know this Winery. It’s less than an hour from some Casemates gotos like Ty Caton and some woot.wine classics like Wellington, and real close to my favorite Winery to tour ever: Sterling Vineyards.
The Look:
Deep, inky purple with an almost black core, framed by vibrant violet at the rim. Well-defined legs climb slowly up the glass, hinting at richness and structure.
The Nose:
Bold and expressive from the start, led by dark fruit with layers of spice and oak woven in. Ripe blackberry and dark plum take center stage, followed by uncracked peppercorn, light subtle anise and cardamom. Gentle notes of vanilla and caramel emerge with air, while a dusty leather character I’m sure on pre-drinking adds sense of depth and complexity. (edit: confirmed after tasting)
The Taste:
Outstanding. Full-bodied, robust, and mouth-coating, with a dark-fruit core that’s both powerful and refined. Savory and spicy elements add a second dimension, keeping the wine engaging from start to finish. The tannins are firm on entry, but with a bit of breathing they become boisterous yet remain silky and well-integrated.
The Finish
Long and lingering, with dark fruit lingering up front before easing into oak influence and a subtle dusty earthiness. Approachable now, but clearly structured enough to benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
The Wrap-Up:
Like its neighbors, this is an excellent, thoughtfully made wine that delivers depth, balance, and complexity. A satisfying bottle that checks all the right boxes.
This is a very good price if the others are as good as the petite sirah.
/giphy encouraging-haughty-chess
2019 Zinfandel
Wow, in a first for us, this bottle had…wine diamonds!
Pulled the cork and a few little brownish red bits came out of the bottle onto my hand. I quickly summoned charming Leo, who investigated with a magnification loupe and a flashlight. We could see a number of pieces of something clinging to the shoulders and neck of the bottle. I pulled a few out to add to the ones on my fingers and put them on some paper. Tiny purple crystals! A quick net search revealed we had “wine diamonds” which are not supposed to impact the taste or quality of the wine. According to the internets, they are most often the result of temperature changes (cold climate). I’m guessing it’s possible other bottles will also have them. Hmmm! (And cronchy if you taste them.)
(As an aside, when Leo first came into the room, he thought the bottle might be corked, but nope, absolutely not. Cork in fine shape, and none of the off smells/tastes of a corked wine. It’s just wine diamonds.)
Now on to tasting – we did not have this with a meal, but tasted it after dinner with no accompaniments. Room temp. Opened/poured/tasted, then let it sit and tasted again. It’s been 3-4 hours and I’m finishing up a glass now.
Me: Wow, that’s some tannins.
Berry/deep red fruits on initial tasting, followed by tannins. The dry finish lingered in my mouth for some minutes after each sip. I would say this wine is drier than I prefer, but it’s not a bad wine. It’s just not something I would choose again. However, I would be perfectly happy serving this to someone who did like dry reds.
Charming Leo’s tasting notes:
Our verdict: at this price it’s a fine wine for folks who like dry reds. I’ll let the vintner address the wine diamonds/tartrate crystals.
@TrinSF Which one was this?
@TrinSF Which wine did you receive?
@TrinSF @user33071884
Based on the strong tannins, I would assume it was the Petit Verdot.
@TrinSF You didn’t identify which wine. I’m guessing it’s the zinfandel, as this is how I tend to describe/feel about them (and, coincidentally, I also had some crystals in a bottle of zin just last week). So, which is it?
My apolologies, folks – we wrote the review before the wine was posted, and it assumes a single offering. by the time I saw the first of these comments, it was already past my bedtime. It’s the 2019 Zinfandel. I still don’t see a way to edit this, so I guess we’re stuck with that.
@trapuh @TrinSF
Weird, I have never thought of Zinfandel as being especially tannic. Maybe masked somewhat by the fruit and/or bramble notes? I will have to look for that now…
@TrinSF The only part about this that confuses me is how you’ve never encountered tartrate crystals before!
@TrinSF Which wine?
@FritzCat See above – the zin.
CT (not all these specific wines, but) seems to indicate these are probably ~90.5 pts. and built to last. I saw the word “jammy” thrown around, which is a wine win (see what I did there?) for me. TrinSF, the 2nd rat got one that was certainly not jammy…I suspect the Petite Verdot. I’m definitely in for a case. Oh, and one CT comment said “A steal at $20”(PS)…what does that make it at $11.67/bottle?
@FritzCat Based on the sediment alone, my guess would be the 2019 Petite Sirah. That grape is notorious for throwing large amounts of tannin/pigment sediment, especially when lightly filtered and a few years into bottle age. That’s actually a good thing as well. It looks like a lot of sediment, but in this case that’s likely polymerized tannins and pigment falling out with age. In structured reds (especially things like Petite Sirah), that process is actually beneficial to mouthfeel. The harsher tannins leave the wine, and what’s left drinks rounder and more integrated. Visually dramatic, but harmless and often a sign of minimal filtration rather than a flaw.
@FritzCat @user33071884
“Wine diamonds” are actually tartrate crystals that form when a wine that has not been cold stabilized gets exposed to cold temps.
@chipgreen @FritzCat @user33071884
some useless info here
@FritzCat It was the Zin. You know, you could call it jammy/berry/fruity, but the tannins really run the show.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Madrigal Family Winery Mixed Reds - $30 = 17.64%
Wine Access touting the PS:
A deep, concentrated purple at the core. The aromas are led by warm dark plum, cherry, and chocolate brownie, embraced by purple florals and spice. The palate is lush, with chocolate and dark summer berries carried on silky tannins that deliver a long-lasting finish. A dark, bold, luscious red steeped in history. Drink now–2030.
Reverse Wine Snob, the Zin, November '25:
The 2019 Madrigal Napa Valley Zinfandel opens with a harmonious, attractive aroma of black cherry, lots of licorice and mint plus some other baking spices, dried herbs and balsamic. You can tell it has a bit of age on it, which is wonderful.
Taking a sip reveals a smooth, savory and balanced wine with similar with flavors to the nose and lots of secondary notes. Everything seems to have harmonized quite nicely with age and it is VERY easy to drink with lots of layers to discover.
It ends dry, long, savory, and a touch grippy with a bit of lasting spice. By day 2 it was even a bit longer and more savory on the finish. We put this at the high end of our 9 Tasting Rating at 92-93 points. Get it while you can.
It appears the winery is no longer, sold to Jayson Woodbridge (Hundred Acre) in 2024. Label/Brand still belongs to Madrigal.
more useless info here
fwiw
'Tis always a pleasure to get a Golden Ticket, this one for the 2018 Petit Verdot - a variety that I’ve had limited experience with, at least not as the main grape. (Celler Tracker only lists two labels in my history, and I don’t have notes on either.)
The (natural) cork was stained dark across the bottom, but no seepage up the side or any signs of tartrate. On PnP my color blindness limits me to saying it is dark red - fairly opaque - with moderate legs, Floral/violet notes initially in the nose, along with a not unpleasant hint of rubbing alcohol.
A smooth, refreshing taste, with tannins that fell into what I’d call silky or velvety - they wrap around the tongue gently. Dark fruit, a hint of jam (if you looked for it), and a bit of tobacco in the fairly short finish. Went quite nicely with French dipped sandwiches made from leftover prime rib.
Based on the other rattage, this deal looks to be a no-brainer - a field in which I eminently qualify.
Ah like Mrs Madrigal.
/showme Anna Madrigal of Tales of the City.
@luseruser Here’s the image you requested for “Anna Madrigal of Tales of the City.”
@luseruser @mediocrebot I was expecting Olympia Dukakis.
Yea, I ordered it at 12:08 this morning and I think I happened to see it at around12:05…maybe later.
/giphy reliant-cozy-border
