2020 Estate Petite Sirah

Estate grown

• Varieties:
  100% Petite Sirah
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  25.7
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  14.6%
• Acidity:
  0.71g/100ml
• pH:
  3.43
• Residual sugar:
  0.02 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  January 26, 2023
• Cases produced:
  195
• Retail Price:
  $ 30.00

Growing conditions:
Minimal winter rainfall until a wet March averted an extreme drought. No frost events but windy conditions during bloom led to a smaller fruit set. The lighter crop coupled with a long warm summer led to an outstanding earlier, small harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
We crushed into a stainless fermentor, then added D-80 yeast 48 hours later. The must was pumped over twice daily for 12 days prior to pressing. After malolactic fermentation, this wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 24 months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
A delightful aroma profile best described as “spice rack” meets ripe plums. Fresh ground black pepper, bay leaf and clove predominate with rich plum notes in the background. This wine is a mouthful with an elegant sufficiency of tannins and toasty oak followed by an extended, rich finish.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable now, this intense Petite Sirah will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 5-10 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2028-2034.

Food selection:
Best match for rare beef and most spicy fare! Rich, red, sauces, Cajun, and heavy continental dishes of all types are enhanced with this concentrated Petite Sirah.