Winemaker Notes
Opaque purple in color, smoky and minerally on the nose. Well coated tannins integrate on the palate with black currant and plum fruit. Finishes with notes of eucalyptus and mint
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This exuberant variety is tamed into a very composed and polished style with an array of ripe red plums, mulberries and boysenberries. Super chalky and crunchy tannins here. This is a superb wine. Pure petite sirah. Drink or hold.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
“Mannerly” is rarely a term employed in any description of Petite Sirah, but it can be used with a degree of legitimacy here if only by comparison to the varietal norm. The latest from Ridge is a deep and solidly fruity wine redolent of ripe berries, plums, hints of pepper and a touch of dark soil, and, if nicely balanced and close to polished, it does not give up its tannin soul. “Crafted” rather than “mannerly” is probably a better descriptor, but, while the right word might be elusive, there is unquestionably something a bit different here that separates this wine from its many grittier, far more blustery mates.
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.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.