Winemaker Notes
Separated from Napa by just an invisible county line, Suisun Valley (which became an AVA in 1982) is still largely undiscovered. With its warm days and cool nights, this pastoral region reminds us of Napa Valley in the 1960s. Known for delicious stone fruits and walnuts, it is also gaining recognition for exceptional wine. Durif is synonymous with Petite Sirah, the widely grown grape in the region – Caymus-Suisun added "Grand" to the name for its grand style. With harmonious tannins, this wine is opulent, luxuriously soft and totally enjoyable.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2021 Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif is full bodied and saturated on the palate as it finishes with a supple touch. This wine shows aromas and flavors of alluring spices, tree bark, and freshly crushed grapes. Pair it with an old-fashioned, slow-cooked beef stew. (Tasted: August 7, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
With its deep color, firm tannins and bold flavors, there is nothing petite about Petite Sirah. The variety, originally known as Durif in the Rhône, took on its more popular moniker after being imported to California in the early 1880s. Quintessentially recognized today as a grape of the Golden State, Petite Sirah works well blended with Zinfandel and finds success as a single varietal wine in the state’s warmer districts. Somm Secret—Petite Sirah is not a smaller version of Syrah but it is an offspring of Syrah and the now nearly extinct French Alpine variety called Peloursin.
An off the beaten path wine country destination, Suisun Valley is just east of Napa Valley in the California Coast Ranges. The valley boasts plentiful agricultural products as well as wine.