Petit Verdot

Late-ripening Bordeaux blender — color, tannin, violet.

Petit Verdot is the smallest component in classic Bordeaux blends, used in single-digit percentages for color, tannin, and a perfumed violet note. It ripens late — often too late in cool Bordeaux vintages, which is why it sits in such small proportions. Warmer New World sites in California, Australia, and Spain have started producing varietal Petit Verdot bottlings, where the grape can ripen reliably and shows densely structured wines with blackberry, leather, and a savory floral lift. Most plantings remain blender-grade, however.