Winemaker Notes
The 2023 vintage shows a deep purple hue, nearly inky in concentration. Savory aromas of ripe dark fruits—marionberry and briary blackberry—meld with notes of mocha, caramel, and dark chocolate, creating an alluring bouquet. On the palate, creamy and succulent flavors of black currant and toasted oak unfold. Fully integrated tannins provide a viscous, mouthcoating texture that carries into a lingering, almost endless finish. While the tannins are already well managed, a few years in the cellar will bring additional layers of complexity, with the fruit preserved by the wine’s solid acidity. An ideal companion to grilled steaks, roast beef, braises, or hearty stews.
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.
The vineyards just inland from the Sacramento River Delta, along the deep banks of the Sacramento River, comprise the Clarksburg AVA. The River Delta channels in cold air and fog from the Pacific Ocean creating a cooling effect in this area. Warm summer days quickly change to chilly evenings and make a great environment for grape growing. While a range of grape varieties grow here, Chenin blanc stands out the most, distinguishing itself in the appellation.
The Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, made up of nearly 50 grower members and over a dozen wineries, has been working since the late 1980s to promote the high quality wine of its region.