Winemaker Notes
The grapes for this Petite Sirah come from the highest point of Tip Top Vineyard, just touching 2000 feet in elevation. This west facing block, while one of the warmer spots on the property, is constantly buffeted by strong mountain winds pulled inland from the coast. This mix of sun and wind provides ideal growing conditions for their Petite Sirah. A deeply pigmented wine, it is layered with aromas of blackberry galette, dried clover, and sage. Soft, velvety tannins accompany refreshing acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Like the best petites, this takes a few days to show itself, shy but for the tannins you can readily sense in its aromatic heft. It smells of chapparal and petrol, fig and earth. After three days of air, a dark-plum compote scent emerges, its sunny warmth becoming exotic and ferrous, with cardamom-scented tannins and a sensual, firm texture. It will reward cellaring.
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.
Nestled in the Vaca Mountains on the northeast side of Napa Valley, Chiles Valley is one of the cooler Napa subregions with vineyards at about 600 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon blanc.