Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Rex & Amarica Blocks Petite Sirah has bright aromas of blackberry, ripe pomegranate, and black cherry, with well-integrated oak and toast. The wine is opaque, nearly like India ink, with black and deep purple hues. The velvety tannins are meshed in intense blackberry, blueberry and licorice flavors, and the well-balanced finish lingers while concentrated fruit explodes on the pallet.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Leathery, savory and herbal, this block designate from the heart of the appellation is impressively complex, structured and dusty on the palate. Black pepper, blueberry and gamy meat combine around significant tannin and lasting oak.
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.