Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
From the eastern side of Calistoga, under the gorgeous geological formation for which the vineyard is named, this wine shows complex, moderately ripe aspects of pencil, leather and youthful, lifted acidity. Grippy still, the Burgundian oak used for aging was 30% new. Elegantly refined, it'll do well with further time in the cellar; enjoy best 2024 through 2034.
Cellar Selection -
Wine Spectator
Floral huckleberry and smoked pepper aromas lead to rich, concentrated flavors of blueberry, tobacco and bay leaf. Drink now through 2025.
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.
One of Napa Valley’s oldest wine growing subregions but last to gain appellation status, Calistoga occupies the northernmost section of the valley. Beginning at the foot of Mount St. Helena, its vineyards stretch over steep canyons and roll out onto the valley floor. The soils in Calistoga are volcanic, which means they are heavy in minerals, low in organic matter and allow good drainage for vine roots, creating less green growth and more concentration of flavor within the grape berries.
Summer days are very hot but most nights cool down with moist ocean breezes sneaking in over the Mayacamas Mountains or from Knights Valley to its northwest.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the area’s star variety with Zinfandel coming in a strong second, though the latter commands far less price per tonnage so continues to be outshined by Cabernet in vineyard acreage, save for some important exceptions.