Winemaker Notes
Petite Sirah is a sumptuous varietal that invites and rewards exploration. Opulent aromas of dark fruit and spice emerge from the glass. Extended aging in French oak barrels added complexity while softening tannins in the wine. Plush and velvety, it exudes ripe berry and cracked pepper flavors that embrace your palate.
Surprisingly versatile, it pairs well with red meats, rich pasta dishes, and even desserts such as a dense, dark chocolate cake.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Fragrant blackberry, peach cobbler, cinnamon and orange zest show on the nose. Juicy black plum, black cherry, blueberry confiture, allspice and dried herbs skip across the palate then meld into chocolate mousse and espresso. Pair with chocolate lava cake.
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.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.