Winemaker Notes
Fleur de California's Petite Sirah displays intense aromas of blueberries, peppercorn and nutmeg. Dark in color, once in the mouth, it explodes in flavors of blackberries, vanilla, spice and a hint of black pepper.
This is a nice quaffing wine that finishes smooth yet bright and is best served with barbequed pork ribs, teriyaki beef dishes or any type of wild game.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
This deep-colored and powerfully fruity wine comes off as well-balanced despite plenty of fine-grained tannins and a full body. Blackberries, blueberries and cocoa flood the palate and linger on the finish. Best through 2027.
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.