2021 Estate Petite Sirah

Estate grown

• Varieties:
  100% Petite Sirah
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles -Templeton Gap
• Average brix at harvest:
  24.7
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  14.3%
• Acidity:
  0.68g/100ml
• pH:
  3.43
• Residual sugar:
  0.01 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  September 28, 2023
• Cases produced:
  241
• Retail Price:
  $ 30.00

Growing conditions:
Another drought year with 90% of our total rainfall occurring during the last week of January. An unusual frost in late May resulted in a smaller fruit set. The lighter crop coupled with a long warm summer led to the earliest finish to harvest at Victor Hugo ever, with a smaller harvest with excellent quality.

Winemaking:
We crushed into a stainless fermentor, then added D-80 yeast 72 hours later. The must was pumped over twice daily for 18 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 2030-2036.

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.