The inaugural vintage of Scarpa comes predominantly from high above Oakville in the eastern hills at the Krupp Brothers Vineyard with a small amount from the very complimentary Farella Vineyard in Coombsville. One look at this black-purple wine, and you know it is serious. It is a quasi-black hole of a wine, with dark, brooding aromatics of black olive, blackberry, black pepper, anise, bacon fat and chocolate. On the palate, Scarpa is stout, rich and full-bodied, with dark flavors that mimic the nose. The finish is long and expansive, leading to the conclusion that this wine may last a very long time. Aged in 50% new French Oak for 16 months.
This gorgeous wine is dense and chewy, slow to show its goods, with firm, minerally dried berry, sage, herb, graphite and blackberry fruit, but as it does, the flavors are tighter and more complex, focused and alluring. Best from 2011 through 2019.
Good full ruby. Liqueur-like aroma of black cherry lifted by violet; slightly porty. Boasts excellent fruit intensity but comes across today as extremely primary, even unformed. Finishes tight but long, with the violet note repeating. Hirby was planning to bottle this the week after my visit, and I'd expect this wine to require at least several years of aging to express itself.
