Palate
black fruits, tar and unsmoked tobacco.
Growing Conditions
In 2015, we suffered up to 45% losses in several blocks. It was an early start, but cool weather during flowering in
May contributed to a less than normal fruit set. The berries that did set were generally much smaller than usual.
Once the set was complete, we had warm to very warm conditions up to and through harvest. There was no rush
to judgement on when to pick, we had plenty of space at the winery for the short crop, and all the fruit was in
before the winter storms started to line up off the coast. Initially, I did not pass judgement on this vintage; but
now having tasted all the wines in bottle – it is a great one in all respects.
Winemaking
The Petite Sirah was fermented in a single closed top
tank. The fermentation was fairly quick at only about 11 days and was done
using only pump-overs. Just before going dry, this was pressed to mostly used
small French oak barrels where it stayed for about 18 months before going to
bottle.
