Decades 5 Petit Verdot 2009 – 100% Petit Verdot from Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley

Decades 5 Petit Verdot 2009 is Napa Valley luxury in its most uncompromising form. A powerful, deep and exclusive red wine created for collectors and connoisseurs looking for something out of the ordinary. This is 100% Petit Verdot from one of California’s most iconic vineyards – a wine with monumental structure, intensity and ageing potential.

Petit Verdot usually plays a discreet supporting role in classic Bordeaux blends. But in this wine, the grape takes center stage – and what an achievement. Under the guidance of renowned winemaker Jean Hoefliger, the potential of Petit Verdot is fully realized. The result is a monumental wine with both power and precision, where the grape’s dark fruit and distinctive structure are crystal clear.

The grapes come from Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak in southeastern Napa Valley. At the heights above the morning fog, on volcanic and rocky subsoil, Petit Verdot achieves a full ripeness rarely seen in Bordeaux. The sunny exposure and demanding terroir produce a wine with tremendous concentration, deep color and pronounced tannic structure. Stagecoach Vineyard is a true Grand Cru site in Napa – created with vision and a commitment to uncompromising quality.

The vinification is handcrafted in every detail. Fermentation is natural with no added yeasts and the wine is aged in 100% new French oak barrels from some of the most renowned coopers in Burgundy and Bordeaux. Everything is designed to bring out the power and complexity of the grape – without overpowering its identity.

Tasting notes

Color: Opaque, deep ruby red – almost black at the core – a visual signal of the wine’s concentration.

Aroma: Intense and explosive nose with blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry and crème de cassis. Classic Petit Verdot notes of graphite and pencil sharpener, plus layers of espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla and warm spices like clove and cinnamon. A touch of olive tapenade and thyme add further complexity.

Flavor: Voluminous, creamy and full-bodied with silky but pronounced tannins. The fruit is deep and almost liqueur-like, while the cask is elegantly integrated into the structure. The finish is long, soft and intense with persistent dark fruit and spicy elegance.

The story behind Decades 5

Decades 5 is a passionate solo project created by Jean Hoefliger, one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers. The vision was clear: to show the world what Petit Verdot can do when terroir, craft and ambition come together. No compromises – only uncompromising quality from field to bottle.

Decades 5 Petit Verdot 2009 is a tribute to a grape that rarely stands alone – and proof that, in the right hands, Petit Verdot can create a world-class wine.

• Wine type: Red wine
• Producer: Decades 5
• Region: Napa Valley, California, USA
• Mark: Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak
• Vintage: 2009
• Grape: 100% Petit Verdot
• Barrel aging: 100% new French oak
• Aging potential: Very high
• Alcohol: 15%alcohol
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites